Marine Group 5 UAS

The Marine Group 5 UAS program, reflected in Line Item 0452 of the Department of the Navy's FY 2026 Aircraft Procurement budget, is focused on the acquisition and fielding of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft systems for the United States Marine Corps (USMC). This program originated from the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Expeditionary (MUX) initiative, which was designed to address capability gaps identified in the 2016 MUX Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). The primary objective is to enable persistent, long-range, multi-sensor reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting, and airborne network extension for Marine Corps Stand-In Forces, particularly the Marine Littoral Regiment, in alignment with the National Defense Strategy and USMC Force Design requirements.

The program employs the Block 5 MQ-9A airframe, which is being repurposed from Air Force inventory and new production to meet Marine Corps operational needs. The MQ-9A provides a critical capability for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as command, control, and communications (C3) relay. These capabilities are intended to enhance the survivability and situational awareness of distributed naval and joint task forces, especially during expeditionary, joint, and combined operations within contested environments and adversary weapons engagement zones.

Initial production was acquired through a U.S. Air Force contract, with subsequent aircraft transferred from previously procured Air Force inventory. The budget supports ancillary equipment, site standup, airframe peculiar ground support equipment (PGSE), specialized training equipment, technical publications, and other support elements necessary for the operational fielding and sustainment of the MQ-9A systems within the Marine Corps.

Funding supports the continued standup of operational sites and squadrons, such as VMU-1, VMU-3, and UX-24, by providing common support equipment and logistics product elements. The budget also funds the procurement and development of operator and maintenance training courseware, as well as the acquisition of an additional Mission Systems Aircrew Trainer (MSAT) for VMUT-2. This ensures that Marine Corps personnel are adequately trained to operate and maintain the MQ-9A systems as they transition from production to sustainment phases.

Technical publications and data management are also a key focus for FY 2026, with efforts directed toward the completion of initial technical publications for the USMC MQ-9 Increment 1 program. These publications incorporate USMC-specific requirements, such as Skytower I support equipment, and are designed for digital access and enhanced usability, including features like graphic hotspots and linkable references. This supports efficient maintenance and operational readiness for the deployed systems.

The program's objectives are further shaped by Department of Defense efficiency initiatives, as reflected in reductions to advisory and assistance services and civilian personnel funding in compliance with Executive Orders 14222 and 14210. These adjustments are intended to promote cost efficiency and workforce optimization while maintaining the core capabilities and readiness objectives of the Marine Group 5 UAS program.