UPDATE TO SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (sUAS) POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECRETARY OF WAR GUIDANCE DATED 10 JUL 2025

R 071925Z NOV 25
MARADMIN 537/25
MSGID/CMC PPO WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/UPDATE TO SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (sUAS)
POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECRETARY OF WAR GUIDANCE DATED
10 JUL 2025//
REF/A/SECWAR MEMO "UNLEASHING U.S. MILITARY DRONE DOMINANCE
," 10 JUL 25//
REF/B/MARADMIN 398/24//
REF/C/MARADMIN 284/24//
REF/D/NATO STANDARD ATP-3.3.8.1//
REF/E/JP 3-30//
REF/F/MIL-STD-6040(SERIES)/B.1.01.15//
REF/G/NAVMC 3500.107D//
REF/H/SUAS PROGRAM SOP//
REF/I/UAS ADVISORY COUNCIL CHARTER 28 MAY 2025//
REF/J/NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2024//
REF/K/MCO 5100.29C VOL 9//
REF/L/CNAF 3710.9//
REF/M/MCO 3570.1D//
REF/N/DoDI 5000.64//
REF/O/DoD Manual 4160.28//
REF/P/UAS GOVERNANCE MOA//
REF/Q/ SOUM 16-25//
NARR/REF A IS THE GUIDANCE FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR ON
SUAS UPDATES FOR THE DOD. REF B IS THE BLUE UAS
PROCUREMENT AND TRAINING MARADMIN. REF C IS THE
CLARIFICATION OF GROUP 1 AND 2 UAS POLICY FOR THE
OPERATION OF USMC SUAS. REF D IS THE NATO STANDARD ALLIED
TACTICAL PUBLICATION MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR UAS
OPERATORS AND PILOTS. REF E IS THE JOINT PUBLICATION ON
JOINT AIR OPERATIONS. REF F IS THE UAS CATEGORY 3 INTERIM
FLIGHT CLEARANCE (IFC) FOR GROUP 1 AND 2 UAS FOR SHORE-
BASED AND SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS. REF G IS THE UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (GROUP 1 AND 2) TRAINING AND READINESS
MANUAL. REF H IS THE SUAS PROGRAM SOP. REF I IS THE
CHARTER FOR THE FAMILY OF UAS ADVISORY COUNCIL AND WORKING
GROUP. REF J IS THE FY24 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
ACT AND AMERICAN SECURITY DRONE ACT. REF K IS THE NAVY AND
MARINE CORPS SAFETY INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING MANUAL.
REF L IS THE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS MANUAL GROUP 1 AND 2
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. REF M IS THE SMALL UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (SUAS) PROGRAM STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES (SOP). REF M IS THE RANGE SAFETY ORDER. REF N
IS THE DOD INSTRUCTION ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND MANAGEMENT OF
DOD EQUIPMENT AND OTHER ACCOUNTABLE PROPERTY. REF O IS
THE DOD MANUAL ON DEFENSE DEMILITARIZATION PROCEDURES. REF
P IS THE GOVERNANCE OF MARINE CORPS UAS DECISION
MEMORANDUM. REF Q IS THE SOUM UPDATE TO SUAS USE WITHIN
USMC RANGE AND TRAINING AREAS.//
POC/MSGT/B. W. POWELL/PP&O POF/EMAIL:
[email protected]
/TEL: 703-614-4300//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/ 1. This is a coordinated Deputy Commandant, Plans
, Policies, and Operations (DC PP&O), Deputy Commandant,
Aviation (DC A) and Deputy Commandant Training and
Education (DC T&E) message. This MARADMIN rescinds and
supersedes references (b) and (c).
1.a. This MARADMIN addresses changes to procurement, and
operational authorities for sUAS in response to reference
(a) for Groups 1 and 2 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(sUAS) as defined by reference (e). This message is not
all encompassing but provides critical policy updates,
aligns Service efforts, and clarifies requirements and
authorities for commanders.
1.b. This MARADMIN does not change or affect the
requirements to operate Group 3 and above UAS as
defined by reference (e).
1.c. For the purposes of this message and for addressing
generally, Groups 1 and 2 UAS will be referred to as small
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) with the exception of
those designated as weapons systems.
2. Intent. The release of references (a) and (f) have
changed processes and procedures for sUAS from the Office
of the Secretary of War (OSW) down to the Service-level.
This message will provide reference (a) Service
implementation guidance.
3. Policy.
3.a. Governance of Marine Corps UAS.
3.a.1. In accordance with (IAW) reference (p), sUAS Group
1 and 2 will be governed by DC PP&O.
3.a.2. IAW reference (p) UAS Group 3 - 5 will be governed
by DC A.
3.a.3 sUAS designated as a weapon system, armed, and used
on a range and training area will be governed by DC T&E.
3.a.4. Any topics or initiatives not addressed
specifically by this MARADMIN or by DC PP&O and/or DCA
will be adjudicated by the DC CD&I Family of UAS Advisory
Council.
3.b. UAS Categorization and Training Standards.
3.b.1. Group 1 UAS. Defined IAW reference (e) as an air
vehicle weighing 20 pounds or less which typically
operates under VFR in Class E, G, and restricted or
uncontrolled airspace below 1200' AGL at speeds less than
100 knots.
3.b.1.a. Group 1 UAS may be operated by any Marine IAW
the current Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) interim
flight clearance (IFC) who has successfully completed the
requirements outlined in references (d) and (g), including
, but not limited to, system-specific Initial Qualification
Training (IQT) and Basic UAS Qualification - 1 (BUQ) and
being designated as a sUAS-Operator (sUAS-O) by the
Aircraft Reporting Custodian (ARC) IAW reference (h).
3.b.1.b. Program of Record (POR) Group 1 system training
is conducted by the local Training and Logistics Support
Activity (TALSA). Initial non-POR (NPOR) system training
will be conducted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer
and approved by the ARC. Additional guidance for specific
systems or training capabilities may be approved or
released via separate correspondence.
3.b.2. Group 2 UAS. Defined IAW reference (e) as an air
vehicle weighing between 21-55 pounds which typically
operates under VFR in class D, E, G, and restricted
airspace below 3500' AGL at speeds less than 250 knots.
3.b.2.a. Group 2 sUAS-Os shall successfully complete a DC
T&E approved BUQ-2 syllabus. The syllabus to include IQT
will be approved by DC T&E.
3.b.2.b. Group 2 PMOS. USMC Group 2 UAS shall only be
operated IAW the current NAVAIR issued flight clearance by
an operator with an approved Military Occupational
Specialty (MOS) and who has completed training IAW the sUAS
T&R Manual. The Primary MOS (PMOS) 7316 Small UAS Operator
is currently the only approved MOS to operate Group 2
systems outside of Marine Special Operations Command
(MARSOC) as described in paragraph 3.b.2.c. The Tactical
Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS), TRV-150, is
currently waived by DC A from a Group III system to be
operated and maintained as a Group 2 by incidental
operators trained through their TALSA.
3.b.2.c. MARSOC sUAS Operations. Marines assigned to
MARSOC holding the PMOS of 0370 (Special Operations
Officer), 0372 (Critical Skills Operator), or Billet MOS
8071 (Special Operations Capabilities Specialist) are
eligible to be trained on and operate Group 2 systems IAW
the requirements in reference (f). MARSOC Marines who
receive the Free MOS 8623 may be authorized to fly Group 2
systems. These Marines are hand selected and undergo a
comprehensive screening process and a Special Operations
Forces - Peculiar training pipeline that enables these
Marines to operate the Group 2 aircraft.
3.b.3. A sUAS designated as a weapon system is defined IAW
reference (q) as a sUAS having an integrated collection
of elements, including a weapon, delivery platform, and
supporting systems, designed to inflict damage,
incapacitate, or neutralize a target. Additionally, based
on the concept of employment, unarmed variants may be
treated as a training weapon, similar to a "blue body"
practice hand grenade.
3.b.4. A system by default is considered a sUAS unless
designated as a weapon system by the DC CD&I Family of UAS
Advisory Council or other authoritative body.
4. Secretary of War Memorandum Updates.
4.a. Delegation of Authorities.
4.a.1. Reference (a) provides broad updates and changes to
sUAS programs and policies with a goal of eliminating
barriers to purchase and train utilizing emerging UAS
technology. This includes the delegation of specific
authorities from the Secretary of War (SecWar) to the O6-
level commander or the General Officer (GO) / Senior
Executive Service (SES) level.
4.a.2. For NPOR sUAS that are compliant with references
(a) and (j), the ability to grant Authority to Operate
(ATOs) has been delegated to the O6 Commander or
equivalent. This authority cannot be further delegated.
These sUAS must remain in closed loop cyber networks,
cordoned from DoD networks because the O6 ATO does not
provide the required cyber certification for National
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance. For systems
purchased from the Blue UAS Cleared List, an ATO is
included however, this ATO does not consider
electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) management and does not
constitute an EMS approval.
4.a.3. The Department of the Navy (DON) will utilize the
DON Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) UAS portal
(https://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/doncotsuas/) to
track procurements and ATOs issued by O6 commanders or
equivalents. O6 commanders or equivalents must provide
signed procurement information and ATO paperwork to DC
PP&O Future Operations Branch (POF) via the email
[email protected]. Additional information for NDAA
guidance, mitigation methods, and other sUAS topics may
be found on the DON SharePoint as well.
4.a.4. Commanders must exercise their best judgement after
reviewing all available supply chain information to ensure
these sUAS do not utilize critical components from covered
countries as defined in reference (j). If an ATO is
provided for a sUAS that is not NDAA compliant, the
Commander may be held responsible for any violations of
the law.
4.a.5. GOs and SES equivalents have been delegated the
SecWar's authority per reference (j) to procure covered
UAS systems solely for specific mission types as outlined
in reference (a). Authority for other mission types is not
granted and requires an exemption or waiver from the
SecWar or Deputy SecWar.
4.a.6. O6 Commanders or equivalent have been delegated the
authority to operate or procure sUAS with critical
components from covered entities as permitted by
references (a) and (j). All risk mitigation measures must
be implemented, including but not limited to: removing
memory cards or other storage measures, and using Rizer
software for DJI manufactured sUAS. Questions or concerns
may be directed to the POCs for this message.
4.b. Categorization of sUAS.
4.b.1 Reference (a) provides guidance that sUAS should be
categorized as consumable. Historically, sUAS have been
considered as attritable meaning loss is acceptable, while
consumable infers that loss is intended for sUAS as
expendable supplies.
4.b.2. The current POR Reconnaissance, Surveillance,
Target Acquisition (RSTA) and logistics capability systems
fielded from PMA-263 will continue to have a High
Probability of Loss. Incident and Mishap reporting shall
be done IAW references (k) and (n).
4.b.3. Non-POR sUAS procured or produced at the unit level
shall be considered consumable and expendable supplies.
Mishaps or incidents resulting in injury, fatality,
property damage, or unintentional loss of an asset shall
be reported IAW references (k), (l), (n), and (o).
5. sUAS Accountability.
5.a. The accountability of all USMC sUAS purchased, leased
, or contracted is required and reported to the Office of
the Secretary of War annually. PMA-263 provides reports
for all USMC POR sUAS through the Catalog Ordering
Logistics Tracking System (COLTS) program management
suite. GOs or SES equivalents assigned as a Designated
Approval Authority (DAA) IAW reference (l) are responsible
for reporting all POR, NPOR or otherwise operated sUAS
utilized by the units under their command.
5.b. DAA level sUAS Program Managers are responsible for
providing the required data to DC PP&O POF to support the
yearly inventory submission requirement to the Government
Accountability Office.
6. Unit sUAS Programs. USMC commands possessing sUAS shall
immediately comply with the policies and guidance
outlined in this MARADMIN. These commands shall establish
their unit sUAS program IAW references (h) and (l) no
later than 90 days from the publication. Units are
encouraged to coordinate with higher headquarters to
document and share lessons learned to accelerate
Service-wide capability adoption.
7. Administration and Logistics. Requests for waivers or
changes to any portion of this policy will be submitted
through the chain of command with required endorsement
from the DAA to DC PP&O POF for endorsement and appropriate
routing for approval. Electronic submissions of requests
and endorsements may be sent to the PP&O POCs listed
above.
7.a. Review. This MARADMIN will be periodically reviewed
to incorporate lessons learned and facilitate the
evolution and integration of future systems, or until a
sUAS Marine Corps Order is promulgated and authorized.
8. Command and Signal
8.a. Command. Applicable to the total force.
8.b. Signal. This MARADMIN is effective upon release.
9. Release authorized by LtGen Jay Bargeron, Deputy
Commandant, Plans, Policies, and Operations.//