Marines fly the Neros Archer in first-person video game-like fashion — straight into their targets.
Marine Sgt. Jason Hamm launches a Neros Archer drone at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Camp Pendleton Marines are part of a new infantry initiative to get low-cost drones into the hands of ground troops.
Marines from the Quantico, Va.-based Marine Corps Attack Drone Team were at the base last week, teaching troops from the 1st Marine Division to fly the Neros Archer drone. The Archer is a small quadcopter capable of carrying explosive payloads to its targets. These are one-way flights — the payload and drone explode just before impact."It's kind of strange, but it's also cool at the same time," said Lance Cpl Nicholas Miller, a newly-qualified drone pilot. Miller is an anti-tank missile gunner with 3rd Company, 7th Marines. His inclusion in the program makes sense — the drones could prove to be especially effective against enemy armor.Lance Cpl. Nicholas Miller, from 3rd Company, 7th Marines, prepares to fly the Neros Archer drone during training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Friday, Jan. 23, 2026."It does feel like a video game," he said." it's hard to start off. You have to be, like, very gentle, and the controls are very finicky. There's like no assistance at all."The pilot wears goggles that offer a first-person view from the drone's camera. A team leader — who is also the navigator — watches another video feed and helps the pilot find their target. A third Marine operates an antenna, keeping track of the drone in flight to ensure a steady stream of video.One Marine pilots while another navigates by watching real-time video feed from a Neros Archer drone during training at Camp Pendleton Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.just a year ago. According to the Corps, the decision to introduce the drones came after observing the success such aircraft had in the war in Ukraine."What we can see from this is a very, very cost-effective way for Marines to use a system that's incredibly lethal," Nilan said,"and to have effects that typically ... we saw in technology that was much more advanced or much more expensive."I cover the military and veterans affairs at KPBS. As a veteran who enlisted in the Navy after 9/11, I understand the challenges service members and veterans face because I’ve faced them, too. I’m looking to tell the stories of our local sailors, Marines and veterans and hold government entities accountable when they fail military and veteran families.After second Minneapolis killing, San Diego elected officials say ‘Rubicon crossed’ and ICE is ‘executing American citizens’KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.
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