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Category: Marines

USMC infantry units receiving quadcopters

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The U.S. Marine Corps has started equipping infantry units with small quadcopters, according to a NAVAIR press release.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Skinner, assistant patrol leader, with Company Bravo, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment prepares to fly the Mark-2 Instant Eye during the Infantry Platoon Battle Course as part of a Deployment for Training (DFT) on Fort Pickett, VA., August 15, 2017. The Instant Eye is a small unmanned aerial system used to be deployed at the squad level for quick and local surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michaela R. Gregory)
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Skinner, assistant patrol leader, with Company Bravo, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment prepares to fly the Mark-2 Instant Eye during the Infantry Platoon Battle Course as part of a Deployment for Training (DFT) on Fort Pickett, VA., August 15, 2017. The Instant Eye is a small unmanned aerial system used to be deployed at the squad level for quick and local surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michaela R. Gregory)

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Some F-35s will stick with Block 2B software

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The F-35 program office is considering an option to keep some F-35s in the U.S. fleet with Block 2B software, instead of sending them for an expensive upgrade to newer standards, Stephen Trimble reports.

BF-3 FLT 638. External AIM-132 ASRAAM launch. Lt Col Tom Fields was the pilot on 17 May 2017.
BF-3 FLT 638. External AIM-132 ASRAAM launch. Lt Col Tom Fields was the pilot on 17 May 2017. Lockheed Martin photo by Andy “Bones” Wolfe

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AV-8Bs depart 31st MEU for good

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AV-8Bs from VMA-311 departed USS Bonhomme Richard for good on Aug. 21, bringing an end to the Harrier’s deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311 launches off the end of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Feb. 4, 2017. VMA-311, which departed the BHR Aug. 21 after its farewell tour as part of the 31st MEU, is slated to be the final Harrier squadron to support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from a forward-deployed station. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Quinlan and Staff Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)
An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311 launches off the end of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Feb. 4, 2017. VMA-311, which departed the BHR Aug. 21 after its farewell tour as part of the 31st MEU, is slated to be the final Harrier squadron to support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from a forward-deployed station. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Quinlan and Staff Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)