U.S. Marines test explosive attack drones near Korean DMZ during joint drills

On Aug. 5, U.S. Marines carried out live-fire drills with suicide-style attack drones less than 20 miles from the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea. The exercise, conducted at Pocheon under the Korean Marine Exercise Program, saw members of the 7th Marine Regiment launch FPV drones loaded with explosives to destroy simulated armored vehicles and engage mock enemy troops. The drones used the Neros Archer system, a U.S. Army-compatible platform that can hit targets with precision from 12 to 15 miles away.

A Skydio drone recorded the action. This operation is part of a larger U.S. push to enhance its Pacific posture, highlighted by recent Air Force moves of F-16 fighters closer to the border and the permanent basing of MQ-9 Reaper drones in South Korea. Additional joint drills this month prepared service members for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear scenarios. Analysts expect such unmanned-weapon drills to become more common as the United States deepens its integration with regional allies.