R 031915Z SEP 25 MARADMIN 416/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CG TECOM QUANTICO VA// SUBJ/GUIDANCE FOR THE FIELDING OF THE NEROS ARCHER// REF/A/SECDEF MEMO 10 JUL 2025// REF/B/MCO 3570.1D// REF/C/NAVMC 3500.107_// REF/D/MCTOG ATTACK DRONE EMPLOYMENT PAMPHLET 3-01// NARR/REF A IS THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM: UNLEASHING U.S.  MILITARY DRONE DOMINANCE. REF B IS THE MARINE CORPS RANGE SAFETY  ORDER. REF C IS THE TRAINING AND READINESS MANUAL FOR UNMANNED  AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (GROUP 1 AND 2) THAT ENCOMPASSES A CHAPTER FOR  ATTACK DRONES. REF D IS THE ATTACK DRONE EMPLOYMENT PAMPHLET TO  HELP THE OPERATING FORCES EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATE AND SYNCHRONIZE  ATTACK DRONE CAPABILITIES.// POC #1/MAJ/P.J. BURNS/TECOM G3/ [email protected]/703-432-0002// POC #2/CIV/J.M. HEPBURN/TECOM T&R/ [email protected]/703-784-3093// POC #3/CIV/C.N. HATHCOCK/TECOM RANGE MANAGEMENT/ [email protected]/703-784-2841// POC #4/CIV/B.K. BRAHE III/MCTOG PAMPHLET WRITER/ [email protected]/757-645-8541// POC #5/LTCOL/G.G. LANDIS/MCWL ROBOTICS/ [email protected]/571-254-7116// POC #6/GYSGT/A.P. GAVELLO/CD&I SUAS CIO/  [email protected]/703-432-8256// POC #7/MSGT/B.W. POWELL/PP&O SUAS OCCFLD/ [email protected]/703-614-4300// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN provides instruction and guidance  for the fielding of the Neros Archer. 

1.  The service is rapidly increasing its fielding of attack drones,  which necessitates an increase in trained operator capacity.   Starting in September 2025, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory  (MCWL) will start fielding the Neros Archer funded by the Defense  Innovation Unit (DIU).  This initiative aims to accelerate the  integration of attack drones into Marine Corps formations, enable  Marines to begin developing and refining tactics, techniques, and  procedures (TTPs), and signal to industry the Service’s commitment to employing low-cost, expendable drone systems at scale. This MARADMIN  provides an initial, short-term training solution as part of a  broader phased training approach. Concurrently, TECOM is leading and developing a long-term, service-level training framework to support  scalable and standardized instruction for all attack drones,  including the Neros Archer. The endstate is to transition from  Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) dependency to an enduring, Marine-led training model aligned with evolving operational  requirements and platform capabilities.
2.  Applicability.  This MARADMIN applies to all Marine Corps  formations operating the Neros Archer.
3.  Mission.   TECOM develops, coordinates, and provides Marine Corps units receiving the Neros Archer with an interim training and  employment policy in order to enable controlled use, support early  operations, and inform development of a long-term service-level  training solution. 
4.  Execution. Until a permanent, service-level training solution is  established, the Marine Corps will utilize a train-the-trainer model. 4.a.  Training for Basic Flight and Nonlethal Operations. This  training track supports initial system familiarization and basic flight operations for both the Hotel and Strike variant. It is  designed for nonlethal mission profiles and excludes kinetic  payload employment. 4.a.1.  Training for Instructors. Instructor certification will be  conducted through six OEM-led courses to support the Neros Archer  fielding. Each iteration will be five days, with a maximum of ten  students per course, and is intended for Marines with existing  knowledge on basic FPV flight; it is not designed for first-time  operators. Marines who meet course prerequisites and complete this  training will be designated as Attack Drone-Instructors (AD-I) and  are authorized to train operators within their unit using  TECOM-approved material. Follow-on details regarding course  schedules, prerequisites, and locations will be communicated through  the MCWL Point of Contact.  4.a.2.  Training for Operators. Operators will complete training  under a qualified AD-I using the TECOM-approved material. This  instruction will cover system operations, safety protocols,  launch / recovery procedures, and basic navigation tasks. Upon  successful completion, Marines will be designated as Attack  Drone-Operators (AD-O) and may participate in nonlethal training  operations. 4.a.2.a.  In preparation for Operator training and live system use, commanders are encouraged to leverage the “LIFTOFF” simulator,  which will be available beginning in September 2025 at local Battle  Simulation Centers. The simulator is hosted on the Marine Corps  Common Virtual Platform (MCVP) and provides Marines without prior  drone experience the opportunity to develop fundamental flight  proficiency in a low-risk environment. MCVPs and associated  peripherals, including sUAS controllers and virtual reality headsets, will be available for scheduling through the Range Facility  Management Support System (RFMSS). Units may check out the MCVP for  training as needed, following local standard operating procedures, to build baseline operator skills prior to live system use. Additional  simulation capabilities are in development. These new systems will  require further procurement and testing before release to the Fleet  Marine Forces. 4.b.  Training for Lethal Tactical Employment. A formal training  framework for the lethal tactical employment of Attack Drones has not yet been approved. TECOM, through a dedicated working group, is  actively developing this framework, which will be published in a  future MARADMIN. The forthcoming guidance will define the required  curriculum, certification standards, and implementation timelines  for both instructors and operators. This training track will focus on strike procedures and the operational employment of attack drones  with lethal payload integration. 4.b.1.  Live strike operations may only be conducted on a  case-by-case basis until official training guidance has been  released. Units seeking to conduct live strike operations must  submit a waiver request through their local Range Control Office, and in coordination with this message’s designated Range Management  Point of Contact. 
5.  Coordinating Instructions. 5.a.  Documenting and reporting training will be recorded through the Marine Corps Training Information Management System (MCTIMS). Units  will record Neros Archer qualifications using codes Attack  Drone-Operator (AD-O) and Attack Drone-Instructor (AD-I). 5.b.  Attack Drone-Operators are responsible for conducting training  missions and simulated strike profiles in accordance with approved  TTPs outlined in reference (d). 5.b.1.  Prerequisites: 5.b.1.a.  Any MOS can serve in this role.  5.b.1.b.  Must be basic unmanned qualification (BUQ) level 1  complete. This is a self-paced, computer-based module available at https://suasman.josce.mil. This course ensures foundational  knowledge for operating in designated airspace. 5.b.1.c.  Must hold a current NAVMED 6410/13 (07-2023) Small  Unmanned Aircraft System Physical Worksheet, completed by a Medical  Officer. Existing valid forms remain acceptable, subject to annual  renewal. The NAVMED form can be accessed on the SUAS SharePoint at  https://usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/DCPPO_PO_POF/SitePages/ Small-Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems.aspx. If a requirement on the form is not met, a waiver may be granted by the Battalion Commander or  Battalion Aid Station Medical Officer, unless specifically  reserved for Aeromedical Officer review. Operators may not fly the Neros Archer while taking medications that impair alertness,  judgment, cognition, sensory function, or coordination.  5.b.2.  Requirements. Must complete operator-level instruction from a certified AD-I using the TECOM-approved curriculum. Once initial  certification is obtained, the AD-O is required to sustain currency in accordance with T&R standards outlined in reference (c).  5.c.  Attack Drone-Instructors (AD-Is) will serve as the unit’s  certified instructors for the Neros Archer, responsible for training  and validating operators using TECOM-approved curriculum.  AD-Is are authorized to operate the Neros Archer in addition to their  instructional duties. 5.c.1.  Prerequisites.  5.c.1.a.  Any MOS can serve in this role.  5.c.1.b.  Must hold a current NAVMED 6410/13 (07-2023) Small Unmanned Aircraft System Physical Worksheet, completed by a Medical Officer. 5.c.2.  Requirements. Complete the TECOM approved OEM course provided by Neros Archer. Once initial certification is obtained, the AD-I is  required to sustain currency in accordance with T&R standards  outlined in reference (c). Marines selected to serve as AD-Is  should be provided sufficient time and opportunities to build  system proficiency prior to assuming instructional duties. 5.d.  Marines who currently meet the prerequisites and requirements outlined, must submit proof to their unit operations sections for  MCTIMS entry under AD-O or AD-I to continue operating on the Neros  Archer.  5.e.  Only Marines with valid AD-O or AD-I codes recorded in MCTIMS are authorized to operate or instruct on the Neros Archer.  Commanders are not authorized to create or approve unit-specific  certification training outside of TECOM-approved content. All  employment must comply with established range regulations, safety  requirements, and training policy in alignment with references (b)  and (c).  5.f.  Range and Training Area Management (RTAM), under TECOM’s Range  Training Programs Division (RTPD), will develop and issue range safety policy for the use of the Neros Archer in training  environments. This policy will support installation range controls  and unit-level range safety programs. Use of the Neros Archer for  live fire events may occur after completion of the required training  and appropriate ranges are scheduled through the installation Range  Control Officer. All live-fire events must comply with applicable  guidance outlined in reference (b) and the TECOM-issued range safety  policy. Additional instructions regarding RFMSS scheduling and  submission procedures will be provided in a future update.   5.g.  Tactical employment, including strike training, and the  development of standardized TTPs will be the responsibility of TECOM  through the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team.  Reference (d) will serve as the official employment guidance and this first pamphlet is  to serve as an initial orientation and training guide for small unit  employment within the ground combat element until additional  pamphlets and Marine Corps doctrinal publications are updated in the future. It is encouraged however, for the operating forces to  provide bottom-up feedback through After Action Reports on all  employment methods, best practices, and Neros Archer system feedback. The MCTOG Pamphlet 3-01, Attack Drone Employment is expected to be  released on or about 1 September 2025 and can be accessed at  https://usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/TECOM_MCTOG/DocStnds.
6.  Administration and Logistics.   6.a.  Neros Archer is currently not a program of record. As such,  the Training and Logistics Support Activity (TALSA) holds no  responsibility for its training delivery, logistics support, or  sustainment. All matters related to training coordination, curriculum validation, and fielding support fall under the direction of TECOM  and associated stakeholders as defined in this MARADMIN. 6.b.  Commanders should note that the OEM-provided courses focus  solely on system operation, safety procedures, and instructional  techniques. These courses do not include tactical employment,  mission planning, or strike scenario development. Tactical use,  including the development and instruction of employment methods,  remains the responsibility of TECOM and will be addressed through  separate training guidance, publications, and approved TTPs. CG,  TECOM, coordinated through the TECOM G3 point of contact listed, is  the sole authority to approve periods of instruction which qualify Marines as an AD-O or AD-I. 6.c.  Units are not authorized to directly contact OEMs to initiate  any modification requests to Neros Archer configurations outlined in  the service's fielding plan. Additional instructions pertaining to  variant transitions, procurement of kinetic payloads, and changes to  fielded system configurations will be provided via separate correspondence. Units seeking to conduct modifications or purchase  additional payloads must do so in coordination with this message’s  designated CD&I Point of Contact.  6.d.  This procurement represents a one-time purchase. While the  Neros Archer systems may be treated as consumables for training and  accountability purposes, they will not be replaced once expended,  lost, or rendered inoperable. Units must plan accordingly and ensure  responsible employment and sustainment. Instructions for disposal  will be provided via separate correspondence.
7.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Benjamin T. Watson,  Commanding General, Training and Education Command.//