The Marine Corps is investing money into a variety of new unmanned aerial vehicles, ranging from large systems that can be flown off of amphibious vessels to tiny quadcopters that can fit in the pockets of dismounted troops.

One of the service’s most high-profile efforts is known as the Marine Air-Ground Task Force UAS Expeditionary — or MUX — maritime drone. The service envisions using the platform in austere conditions on both land and water, said Col. James Frey, branch head of unmanned aerial systems at the Marine Corps’ office of aviation, weapons and requirements.

The UAV — which could be the size of a group 5 system, which include large platforms like … (read more)