Compass Points - Drone Destroyer? Marine Corps Compass Points Fighting back against the drones. July 17, 2025

[Vandergriff Preface: Preface to Drone Destroyers and Counters to Drone Warfare

The rapid proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, has fundamentally transformed modern warfare, as vividly illustrated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The integration of drones for surveillance, kamikaze strikes, bombing, and counter-drone operations has redefined the battlefield, creating what Ukrainian soldiers describe as a "kill zone" where drones dominate tactical engagements. This evolution has diminished traditional advantages in troop numbers, artillery, and armored vehicles, forcing militaries worldwide to adapt swiftly to this new reality.

I have long emphasized the need for militaries to evolve in response to emerging technologies and changing battlefield dynamics. My work underscores the importance of empowering individual soldiers with the tools, training, and decision-making authority to confront complex threats. The Marine Corps’ adoption of the SMASH 2000L fire control system, as highlighted in the Compass Points article, aligns with my principles of fostering initiative and versatility at the individual level. By equipping every Marine with the capability to engage small drones using standard rifles, the Corps is not only addressing the immediate threat of drone warfare but also embodying my vision of a flexible, innovative force.

This preface explores how the Marine Corps’ efforts to counter drone warfare through systems like the SMASH 2000L reflect broader trends in military adaptation. Drawing on my insights into training, leadership, and technological integration, it considers the implications of drone proliferation and the critical role of the individual Marine in shaping the future of warfare. As drones continue to reshape conflicts, the ability of forces to innovate and empower their personnel will determine their success in this new era of combat.]

Begin Article:

Fighting back against the drones.

Unmanned aerial vehicles or unmanned aircraft systems are now widely used by military forces around the globe. UAVs, UASs or drones as they are routinely called come in a variety of sizes and missions. A recent Reuters article graphically describes drone use in the fighting in Ukraine

."Drones, drones, drones. Only drones. A lot of drones."

A weary Ukrainian platoon commander speaks to the transformed nature of modern warfare as he's medically evacuated from the front lines. Kamikaze drones. Surveillance drones. Bomber drones. Drones that kill other drones.

Ukrainian soldiers describe the drone-infested corridor covering about 10 km either side of the line of contact as the "kill zone" because remotely piloted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) deployed by both sides can swiftly spot and neutralise targets. The war's evolution into the most drone-intensive conflict ever seen has eaten away at Russia's ability to exploit its traditional advantages in troop numbers, artillery and tanks, according to two Ukrainian battlefield commanders interviewed.

Any large vehicle operating near the front is now an obvious target, meaning Russian forces can no longer make the kind of rapid advances they did in 2022 with columns of armoured vehicles, according to the commanders as well as the founder of OCHI, a system which centralizes video feeds from over 15,000 Ukrainian military drone crews on the front lines.

-- Reuters

By some reports, Ukraine is expending thousands of drones per day. But it is not only drones. Ukraine is also still expending thousands of artillery rounds per day.

.While the U.S. has been - and remains - the largest sole supplier of artillery shells to Ukraine during the war, Europe is expanding capacity and has purchased hundreds of thousands of munitions from within and outside the continent. Of around 420,000 artillery shells received by Ukraine from the start of this year until around mid-May, only 160,000 were from the United States, according to a European security source who requested anonymity to discuss confidential matters. Kamyshin said Ukraine made around 2.4 million of its own shells in 2024, although these were mostly for mortars, which are shorter range.

-- Reuters

Just as fast as the ongoing proliferation of drones, the ongoing invention and proliferation of anti-drone technologies also advances. For example, more than four years ago, the Marine Corps began investigating something called the SMASH 2000L fire control system. The SMASH 2000L can be fitted as a scope on a Marine's rifle. Now testing is over and fielding has begun. Starting in a few weeks, the SMASH 2000L will be fielded widely throughout the Corps.

The Marine Corps will field an advanced smart scope that is designed to hit moving targets in order to help Marines shoot down small drones, said Lt. Col. Eric Flanagan, a spokesman for Combat Development and Integration. Starting next fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1, Marine units will begin receiving the SMASH 2000L advanced fire control system, Flanagan told Task & Purpose on Wednesday. “The SMASH 2000L will give the rifleman the ability to quickly obtain a positive firing solution and increase their probability of kill when engaging Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” Flanagan said. “The SMASH 2000L provides easily attachable components that will enable a standard M4 to be utilized for targeting and defeating [small unmanned aerial systems] with conventional small arms fire while still enabling the Marine user to utilize that same weapon system to engage other/ground targets.”

-- Task and Purpose

Compass Points salutes the Marine Corps on the upcoming fielding of the SMASH 2000L. As powerful as the new system may be, however, what is more powerful is the Marine using the new tool. The Marine Corps needs every Marine to be a rifleman. Now, every Marine can also be an anti-drone rifleman!

Reuters - 07/16/2025

Enter The Kill Zone: Ukraine's Drone-Infested Front Slows Russian Advance

By Max Hunder, Sabine Siebold, and Manuel Ausloos

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/enter-kill-zone-ukraines-drone-infested-front-slows-russian-advance-2025-07-17/

Task and Purpose - 07/16/2025

Marines To Field New Smart Scope To Help Shoot Down Small Drones

The Marines will begin fielding the SMASH 2000L fire control system starting next fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1, with priority going to deploying units.

By Jeff Schogol

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marines-smash-2000l-smart-scope/