Swapping daggers for drones: Royal Marines in Cyprus
Royal Marines Commandos send in the drones in hi-tech Cyprus workout as they take their biggest step yet into the future
Green berets are conducting two weeks of trials with drones of all sizes and abilities as they forge the commandos of tomorrow.
Robot systems will be used to provide commandos on the ground with ammunition, fuel, medical supplies or food and water, as well as the intelligence of ‘enemy’ movements and activity.
The two-week workout in and off Cyprus — dubbed Exercise Autonomous Advance Force 3.0 — is one of the key set-piece events on this autumn’s amphibious deployment by the Royal Navy.
Lessons learned will be used both to develop the tactics and determine the equipment needed to turn the Royal Marines into the Future Commando Force.
“Cyprus gives us a superb opportunity to test the equipment and concepts of the UK’s Future Commando Force, whilst maintaining our excellence at the basics.”
— Colonel Chris Haw
Working with defence tech company QinetiQ, 47 Commando’s trials squadron will test a number of drones, including operating between Royal Navy vessels and the shore for the first time.
Also being assessed is new communications kit which should work better and more covertly when used by small teams operating behind enemy lines.
Royal Marines from 40 Commando will use a live data feed from a drone for surveillance and reconnaissance training, plus test software that will assist communications, gathering intelligence, navigating, and data sharing in challenging environments.
Not to be outdone by the automated technology, 47 Commando will also be trialling novel methods of inserting small teams from ship to shore, while different elements of 42 Commando practise their specialist skills alongside Cypriot forces.
Monitoring both tech and tactics closely over the next fortnight is Natalie Anders from the MOD’s science labs DSTL.
“Autonomous Advance Force 3 brings together commando forces with autonomous technologies to deliver battle winning advantage.
By experimenting with both tactics and technology we can multiply the effectiveness of each marine on the ground.”
— Natalie Anders from the MOD’s science labs DSTL
Exercise Autonomous Advance Force 3.0 is a groundbreaking step into the future, which will help to develop tactics and equipment used to turn the Royal Marines into the Future Commando Force.
