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By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman      Published  Sep 18, 2026 2:01 PM EDT     (marine-colonel-who-led-mideast-combat-deployment-wants-his-own-drone-boats.html#comments)    0           (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=twz.com) Add TWZ (opens in a new tab)      More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results.        (USV boarding USS Essex during a test.)   @i_vanesov on X    The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (handle_newsletter_email_submission) (049ef6aff6)  (/sea/marine-colonel-who-led-mideast-combat-deployment-wants-his-own-drone-boats)  (TWZInline) (0) Email address  (Enter your email) (Please enter a valid email address)  Sign Up  Thank you!      (https://recurrent.io/terms-and-conditions/) Terms of Service and(https://recurrent.io/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy        The officer who led the (https://www.31stmeu.marines.mil/) 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on its (https://www.twz.com/sea/usmc-used-its-expeditionary-operations-playbook-in-combat-for-first-time-during-epic-fury) recent combat deployment to the Middle East told us he needs his own uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) on future deployments. Operationalizing USVs is an area where the Marines are lagging behind. In particular, he wants the ability to send USVs forward to reconnoiter potential highly-contested beach landing areas, a mission largely assumed by the Navy.  (https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-claims-first-ever-kill-of-a-drone-boat-by-another-drone-boat) As we have frequently reported , the military use of USVs is now proliferating around the globe at an increasing rate. Ukraine has (https://www.twz.com/news-features/rumors-swirl-around-attacks-on-russian-black-sea-fleet-warships) employed sea drones to devastating effect against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet vessels and(https://www.twz.com/black-sea-fleet-headquarters-takes-direct-hit-from-cruise-missile) facilities , forcing the general evacuation of Russian naval assets from occupied Crimea to bases in Russia proper. During Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. (https://www.twz.com/sea/kamikaze-drone-boats-used-by-u-s-in-combat-for-the-first-time) used them for the first time in combat , as one-way attack weapons against Iranian targets, to hunt for mines, and for (https://www.twz.com/sea/this-is-the-corsair-drone-boat-that-plucked-the-downed-apache-crew-out-of-the-gulf-of-oman) a search and rescue operation to locate the crew of an AH-64 Apache helicopter downed by Iran, as well as general broad-area surveillance and awareness. China is investing heavily in the space, as well, along with many other navies around the globe, both friend and foe. The following video shows the first U.S. use of a USV as a kamikaze weapon.   Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran. Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea… (https://t.co/bOM2kmgRxz) pic.twitter.com/bOM2kmgRxz  — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) (https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2076679617440530442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) July 13, 2026    “There was a lot in theater that were being used, but it wasn’t something that we went out with,” Col. Chris P. Niedziocha told us when asked if the 31st MEU deployed with USVs. He then answered in the affirmative in response to a question about if MEUs need sea drones on future deployments. He said it is part of the “explosion in robotics and autonomy” being used in combat. “These systems are incredibly useful and capable,” explained Niedziocha, now director of the USMC Expeditionary Warfare School. “And you say, ‘Hey, you know, [in] the next war, if the first thing you’re putting through the breach isn’t a robot, something’s wrong. You say never send a Marine someplace you haven’t sent a bullet. I think the new way is [you] never want to send a Marine someplace you haven’t already sent a robot. So yeah, we’re embracing [the technology] and we’re not leaders. We’re fast followers in that regime.” Asked for specific use cases he sees for USVs, the colonel talked about using them before putting Marines ashore. “I can tell you if you’re doing an amphibious operation, you want to understand what’s waiting beneath the surface in the water column,” Niedziocha noted. “So something can go either with a side-looking sonar array or even forward-looking to demonstrate that there’s nothing there, and the (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/hydrography.html) hydrography and (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bathymetry.html) bathymetry is what you… need for the operation to be successful.” Hydrography measures “the shape and features of the shoreline; the characteristics of tides, currents, and waves; and the physical and chemical properties of the water itself,” (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bathymetry.html) according to NOAA . Bathymetry, which is part of that, focuses on mapping the depths and shapes of underwater terrain. ()  NOAA   These functions are critical for mine detection and determining whether there are man-made or natural obstacles that would impede landing operations. While these missions are largely being performed by the Navy, (https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2167996/mine-countermeasures-unmanned-surface-vehicle-mcm-usv/) including with USVs , the Marines are moving toward making that an organic capability. Recently, (https://www.dvidshub.net/news/574798/unmanned-surface-vessel-enhances-littoral-explosive-ordnance-neutralization) the Marines announced they were testing a counter-mine USV system. The evaluation was conducted late last month at Camp Pendleton by the Program Manager Combat Support Systems (PM CSS) Explosive Hazard Defeat Team. The test of the USV was “in response to a littoral capability gap,” (https://www.dvidshub.net/news/574798/unmanned-surface-vessel-enhances-littoral-explosive-ordnance-neutralization) according to the media release . “The solution: seek a commercial USV solution that is equipped with integrated autonomous driving and payloads that consist of Sonar, Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras, Line of Sight (LOS) Communications and Acoustic Communications (AComms).” This was part of the overall effort to develop “solutions that enable increased standoff for Marines to detect, investigate and neutralize threats,” the release added. “The innovation of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Littoral Explosive Ordnance Neutralization (LEON) systems will provide Marine EOD Technicians with the confidence to operate in contested environments while preserving combat power, increasing operational reach, and minimizing exposure to explosive threats.” LEON is a so-called system of systems, using a remotely operated vehicle, diver equipment, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), a USV, and an Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicle to enable “EOD to confirm and mark hazards and obstacles from very shallow water to the beach zone,” the media release added. While unmanned systems have long been part of EOD operations, “we’re expanding that into maritime systems that allow more endurance and less risk for operators,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alfredo Andrade, officer in charge, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB). “Some of the conflicts that we are engaged in take a toll on the force, and surging in new forces is costly. It turns into a logistical problem. To preserve the safety and the health of the forces… the USV and the [LEON] program exist to ensure that we have readily available combat power.” (In late August at Camp Pendleton, the PM CSS Explosive Hazard Defeat Team tested an Unmanned Surface Vessel in response to a littoral capability gap. The solution: seek a commercial USV solution that is equipped with integrated autonomous driving and payloads that consist of Sonar, Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras, Line of Sight (LOS) Communications and Acoustic Communications (AComms). The LEON System of Systems (SOS) consists of five increments of capabilities to include a Remotely Operated Vehicle, diver equipment, Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Unmanned Surface Vehicle, and an Amphibious Unmanned Ground Vehicle. LEON enables EOD to confirm and mark hazards and obstacles from very shallow water to the beach zone. (PAE Marine Corps photo by Kristiana Gehly))  In late August at Camp Pendleton, the PM CSS Explosive Hazard Defeat Team tested an unmanned surface vessel in response to a littoral capability gap. (PAE Marine Corps photo by Kristiana Gehly) Kristiana Gehly  While Niedziocha didn’t address USVs for offensive combat roles, the Marines have (https://www.twz.com/our-best-look-yet-at-the-marines-new-loitering-munition-toting-drone-boat) evaluated them for that use as well as for logistics, among other functions. Our Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV) solicitation is now accepting submissions.The (https://x.com/DeptofWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) @DeptofWar and the (https://x.com/USMC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) @USMC need to resupply units spread over wide distances in contested littoral environments. Increased all-domain threats targeting logistics capabilities, locations, and… (https://t.co/Af8v0DTRHS) pic.twitter.com/Af8v0DTRHS  — Department of War Innovation Unit (@DIU_x) (https://x.com/DIU_x/status/2028939133104668998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) March 3, 2026    There have been many other tests, as well. Including one just this summer at RIMPAC. These trials saw the launch and recovery of one of Splash Industries’ Typhoon USVs aboard the USS Essex . The ‘Gator Navy’ of amphibious assault vessels that haul Marines and their kit around the oceans is uniquely suited to act as USV motherships. Their well decks allow for easy deployment and recovery of USVs of many sizes and capabilities near seamlessly. So it won’t be surprising if these vessels and the Marines aboard them quickly become staples in the Pentagon’s USV playbook. Watch us land one of our drone-boats inside a moving US Navy warship during RIMPAC. This world-first resupply mission was performed completely autonomously using a Splash Industries Typhoon USV. (https://t.co/AEzNzZjsL1) pic.twitter.com/AEzNzZjsL1  — Ivan Avanesov (@i_vanesov) (https://x.com/i_vanesov/status/2076862526017389014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) July 14, 2026    Still, the Marines have a long way to go to catch up to how these systems are already being used. (https://www.twz.com/news-features/first-look-at-houthi-kamikaze-drone-boat-that-struck-cargo-ship-in-red-sea) The Houthi rebels of Yemen actually(https://www.twz.com/7769/attack-on-saudi-frigate-off-yemen-was-made-by-drone-boat) pioneered the operational use of kamikaze USVs years ago and Ukraine has led the way in advancements of these systems. They first employed them as kamikaze weapons, but then added machine guns and rockets and later missiles, which were used to(https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-claims-its-drone-boat-shot-down-a-russian-mi-8-helicopter-with-a-surface-to-air-missile) shoot down Russian helicopters (https://www.twz.com/news-features/two-russian-su-30-flankers-downed-by-aim-9s-fired-from-drone-boats-ukrainian-intel-boss) and jets . Ukraine has also used them to(https://www.twz.com/news-features/uncrewed-boats-launch-fpv-drone-strike-on-key-russian-radars-located-on-crimeas-southern-tip) launch first-person view (FPV) and(https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukraines-uncrewed-surface-vessels-are-now-launching-bomber-drones-to-attack-crimea) bomber drone attacks as well as(https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-lands-armed-robot-ashore-in-russian-held-territory-via-drone-boat) deliver uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) into enemy territory. Last week, Ukraine claimed to have (https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-claims-first-ever-kill-of-a-drone-boat-by-another-drone-boat) attacked a Russian USV with a USV , marking another first. You can see that engagement in the following video. Ukraine's Navy says a Sargan unmanned surface vessel destroyed a Russian unmanned boat with machine-gun fire in the Black Sea, the first-ever battle between unmanned surface vessels. Ukrainian Navy personnel operated in coordination with HUR. (https://x.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) #Ukraine (https://t.co/Avg4ecz8m6) pic.twitter.com/Avg4ecz8m6  — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) (https://x.com/NOELreports/status/2098815793328755032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) September 12, 2026    Having recently returned from a six-month deployment that saw the Marine Corps’ first use of its (https://www.mcwl.marines.mil/TMEABO/) Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept in a combat setting during the fight against Iran, Niedziocha has a good sense of the realities of modern warfare. His Marines operated forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) for various aircraft in combat for the first time and set up remote sensing locations. That a commander like him sees value in USVs is a good sign for progress in the development of these systems. Contact the author: howard@twz.com  (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) (Howard Altman Avatar)   (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman   Senior Staff Writer    Howard is a Senior Staff Writer for  TWZ  . He writes frequently about conflict, focusing heavily on the Middle East and Ukraine, and interviews with military and intelligence officials and industry leaders from around the globe. He lives near Tampa, Florida, home of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command.   (https://twitter.com/haltman)     (https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardaltman/)           Loading comments…  Comments couldn’t be loaded. Please refresh the page.         Latest in U.S. Marine Corps (https://www.twz.com/sea/usmc-used-its-expeditionary-operations-playbook-in-combat-for-first-time-during-epic-fury) (The Marines used their Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept for the first time in combat during Epic Fury.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-marine-corps) U.S. Marine Corps   (https://www.twz.com/sea/usmc-used-its-expeditionary-operations-playbook-in-combat-for-first-time-during-epic-fury) USMC Used Its Expeditionary Operations Playbook In Combat For First Time During Epic Fury   The USMC set up remote forward refueling and rearming points for F-35Bs and other aircraft, as well as sensing locations during the war with Iran. By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman        5:46 PM  September 17, 2026      (https://www.twz.com/sea/how-marine-rifle-squads-plan-to-fight-future-wars-dominated-by-drones) (The Marine Corps introduced its new plan for ground combat.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-marine-corps) U.S. Marine Corps   (https://www.twz.com/sea/how-marine-rifle-squads-plan-to-fight-future-wars-dominated-by-drones) How Marine Rifle Squads Plan To Fight Future Wars Dominated By Drones   The newly released Ground Combat Element 2040 is the Marine Corps' vision for fighting increasingly complex land battles. By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman        5:01 PM  August 26, 2026        ()    The TWZ Newsletter  Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (https://twz.beehiiv.com/) Sign Up  By signing up you agree to our(https://recurrent.io/terms-and-conditions/) Terms of Service and(https://recurrent.io/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy.           More   (https://www.twz.com/sea/kamikaze-drone-boats-used-by-u-s-in-combat-for-the-first-time) (The U.S. used kamikaze drones boats for the first time in combat.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/unmanned-surface-vessels) Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs)   (https://www.twz.com/sea/kamikaze-drone-boats-used-by-u-s-in-combat-for-the-first-time) Kamikaze Drone Boats Used By U.S. In Combat For The First Time (Updated)   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman           (https://www.twz.com/our-best-look-yet-at-the-marines-new-loitering-munition-toting-drone-boat) (Our Best Look Yet At The Marines’ New Loitering Munition Toting Drone Boat)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-marine-corps) U.S. Marine Corps   (https://www.twz.com/our-best-look-yet-at-the-marines-new-loitering-munition-toting-drone-boat) Our Best Look Yet At The Marines’ New Loitering Munition Toting Drone Boat   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/news-features/first-look-at-houthi-kamikaze-drone-boat-that-struck-cargo-ship-in-red-sea) (We are seeing the first image of the Houthi drone boat that struck the bulk cargo carrier M/V Tutor.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/around-the-globe) Around The Globe   (https://www.twz.com/news-features/first-look-at-houthi-kamikaze-drone-boat-that-struck-cargo-ship-in-red-sea) First Look At Houthi Kamikaze Drone Boat That Struck Cargo Ship In Red Sea   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman           (https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-now-using-drone-boats-to-attack-russian-riverine-targets) (Ukraine has expanded its uncrewed surface vessel attacks to the Dnipro River.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/ukrainian-navy) Ukrainian Navy   (https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-now-using-drone-boats-to-attack-russian-riverine-targets) Ukraine Now Using Drone Boats To Attack Russian Riverine Targets   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman           (https://www.twz.com/switchblade-kamikaze-drone-armed-uncrewed-fast-boat-tested) (The Navy recently conducted a test that saw an uncrewed surface vessel armed with Switchblade 300 kamikaze drones destroy mock naval targets.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-navy) U.S. Navy   (https://www.twz.com/switchblade-kamikaze-drone-armed-uncrewed-fast-boat-tested) Switchblade Kamikaze Drone-Armed Uncrewed Fast Boat Tested   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/sea/interceptor-drone-boat-swarm-vision-laid-out-by-pentagon) (The Defense Innovation Unit has put out a call for proposals for low-cost "interceptor" drone boats that can operate in swarms to at least find and shadow targets of interest at sea.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-navy) U.S. Navy   (https://www.twz.com/sea/interceptor-drone-boat-swarm-vision-laid-out-by-pentagon) Drone Boat Swarm Vision Laid Out By DoD   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/news-features/small-and-agile-houthi-drone-boat-shown-obliterating-ship-during-test) (Yemen has released a video showing its Tufan-1 uncrewed surface vessel (USV), or drone boat, blowing apart a target vessel during tests.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/yemen) Yemen   (https://www.twz.com/news-features/small-and-agile-houthi-drone-boat-shown-obliterating-ship-during-test) Small, Agile Houthi Drone Boat Shown Obliterating Ship During Test   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick) Thomas Newdick           (https://www.twz.com/drone-boat-used-in-attempted-red-sea-attack) (Houthis unleashed a drone boat in an attempted attack on Red Sea shipping.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/red-sea) Red Sea   (https://www.twz.com/drone-boat-used-in-attempted-red-sea-attack) Drone Boat Used In Attempted Red Sea Attack   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman           (https://www.twz.com/category/sea) SEE MORE         (https://www.twz.com/) ()    The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (handle_newsletter_email_submission) (049ef6aff6)  (/sea/marine-colonel-who-led-mideast-combat-deployment-wants-his-own-drone-boats)  (TWZInline) (0) Email address  (Enter your email) (Please enter a valid email address)  Sign Up  Thank you!      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