Royal Marines seek ‘battlefield advantage’ as they first train with drone swarms in UK | UK News

In a first for the British armed forces, the Royal Marines used swarms of drones to aid in combat exercises.

Autonomous machines were present in the air, on the sea and underwater to aid the soldiers as they carried out simulated raids on missile and radar installations across the UK.

Those in charge of the tests were quick to say that it was not about getting rid of the Marines themselves, but rather improving their performance.

“We must always remember that this technology is there to improve commando excellence, not to replace it,” said Colonel Chris Haw, the officer in charge of the experiments.

The exercises were conducted at the Electronic Warfare Tactics Facility at RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria, and at Lulworth Cove in Dorset.

Named “Autonomous Advance Force 4.0”, the trials were designed to create a combined human-machine force to give commandos an “edge on the battlefield”.

A Marine The spokesperson said: “In a first for British defense, a group of six medium-heavy lift drones were operated in a swarm autonomously controlled from a single ground control station.

“The drones were responsible for tactically resupplying the commandos with everything from ammunition for assault troops to blood for combat medics.”

They continued: “The swarm also showed significant flexibility and changed roles to conduct reconnaissance missions to provide intelligence for commando raids on land and at sea against a hostile target, when it is launched from RFA Mounts Bay. “

“Autonomous …