US Marines are to be issued with quadcopter drones for use in combat . They are planned to be deployed at a rate of 200 per week , with each Marine infantry battalion receiving one . It can be expected in a few years to see armies around the world adapt to this technology, but so far, it is only the US Marines who have this advantage. They will be used for reconnaissance before operations and for collecting mapping data to use in tactical decision - making exercises . The move makes the Marines the first branch of the US military to deploy drones to soldiers on the ground on a widespread basis . Previously only the Special Operations Forces had done so .
US Marines are to be issued with quadcopter drones for use in combat . They are planned to be deployed at a rate of 200 per week , with each Marine infantry battalion receiving one . They will be used for reconnaissance before operations and for collecting mapping data to use in tactical decision - making exercises . The move makes the Marines the first branch of the US military to deploy drones to soldiers on the ground on a widespread basis . Previously only the Special Operations Forces had done so .