Marines Bolster Ship Defenses Against Drone Threats

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Marines Bolster Ship Defenses Against Drone Threats

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In August, U.S. Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island conducted training exercises aimed at countering the growing threat of enemy drones. The Marines utilized the Light Marine Air-Defense Integrated System (L-MADIS), a specialized counter-drone vehicle designed to detect, track, and jam hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This training took place off the coast of California as part of the deployment readiness for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The L-MADIS consists of two compact tactical vehicles equipped with an array of detectors and sensors. One vehicle serves as a command-and-control hub, while the other focuses on electronic warfare attacks. These systems can detect drones up to 3,000 meters away and identify their type and operating frequency. Once a drone is detected, Marines can use the L-MADIS to jam its communications, effectively severing the link with its operator. This electronic warfare tactic can cause the drone to crash or hover in place, making it an easier target for kinetic engagement, such as with a rifle and specialized anti-drone ammunition.

The Marine Corps has been rapidly deploying counter-drone technology to its units in response to the increasing use of small, inexpensive drones in modern conflicts. The L-MADIS itself has been in use for several years, but the Marines on the USS Makin Island received a new, upgraded package two months prior to the August training, featuring lighter, more mobile vehicles, and updated sensors and jamming equipment. This initiative is part of a broader effort to provide small units with effective defenses against one-way attack drones. In July 2026, Allen Control Systems won a contract to integrate its Bullfrog autonomous weapon station, which can be armed with machine guns, into the L-MADIS program to enhance kinetic engagement capabilities against low-altitude aerial threats. The Marine Corps also plans to integrate counter-drone systems onto its Amphibious Combat Vehicles, with a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Anduril’s Pulsar-L system issued in August 2026.

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