Photo release: Marines, Coast Guard demo small UAS capabilities
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina -- A member of the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) launches an RQ-20A Puma unmanned aircraft Aug. 12 during an exercise near Camp Lejeune. The U.S. Coast Guard and MARSOC joined forces to demonstrate the ability to launch and recover the Puma, RQ-12A Wasp IV, and InstantEye vertical takeoff and landing UAS from the Coast Guard’s smallest boats. These battery-powered, hand-launched systems provide real-time, day and night reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. The Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263), located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., manages the procurement of small UAS for the Navy and Marine Corps.
A Marine launches an InstantEye vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) Aug. 12 during an exercise with the Coast Guard off the coast of North Carolina. (U.S. Navy photo)
Marine and Coast Guard personnel launch an RQ-12A Wasp IV unmanned aircraft Aug. 12 during a joint exercise near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. (U.S. Navy photo)