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.//