Navy maintainers are set to begin using a new virtual device to prepare for deployment with the MQ-4C Triton – the soon to be operational long endurance, high altitude unmanned air system.

The Navy announced a prize challenge May 22 for its future Marine Air/Ground Task Force, Unmanned Aerial System, Expeditionary (MUX), a ship-based, long endurance UAS.

“The prize challenge is an innovative solution to get this capability to the Marines faster and get the best performance per dollar of investment,” said Capt. Eric Soderberg, the Navy’s Multi-Mission Tactical UAS (PMA-266) program manager.  “This approach will hopefully prompt industry to use non-traditional ways to develop their concepts.”

Gunnery Sgt. Nathan Marple was recognized for his efforts to advance delivery and training for Marine Corps small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) earning him the title of Marine Corps’ Acquisition Staff Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.

The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) John Glenn squadron presented Marple the award during the annual banquet Feb. 28 at NAS Patuxent River.

The U.S. Navy's next-generation Sub-Sonic Aerial Target (SSAT), BQM-177A, reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) Feb. 27 and will begin land-based operations in Point Mugu, California.

The BQM-177A provides realistic threat representation for developmental and operational testing of major DoD and international weapon systems.

A new Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) training facility opened its doors Nov. 5 for Marines stationed in the Pacific region.

Training and Logistics Support Activity (TALSA) PAC is located at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and managed by the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263), located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. It is the third of this kind of facility dedicated to SUAS training and logistics.