For the first time, the US Marine Corps has integrated the JUMP 20 drone aboard an amphibious ship

 

UAS JUMP 20

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) has reached a historic milestone in modernizing its combat capabilities. For the first time in history, the unit has successfully integrated and flown the JUMP 20 unmanned Aerial System (UAS) from an amphibious warship, marking an important step in the development of the Distributed maritime Operations (DMO) concept.

This breakthrough was a key element in preparing the MEU for the role of an advanced rapid reaction force capable of operating autonomously in high-threat environments. The UAS JUMP 20 integration provides the squad with a powerful means of reconnaissance, surveillance and targeted escort, increasing its ability to interact with the enemy at a great distance from the main forces.

The JUMP 20 drone, developed by the American company Skyfront, has a unique hybrid power plant that combines the advantages of electric and gasoline engines. It is capable of staying in the air for up to 10 hours, reaching speeds of up to 130 km/ h and carrying various payloads — from optoelectronic systems to communications and electronic intelligence.

The inclusion of drones in expeditionary units is part of the broader strategy of the United States Marine Corps to adapt to the new challenges of countering equal opponents. As part of the Force Design 2030 concept, the Marine Corps is being retrofitted to more mobile, distributed, and technologically equipped formations capable of operating in archipelagic and coastal environments.

JUMP 20 flights from amphibious ships demonstrate the possibility of rapid deployment of UAVs in tactical depth, increasing the detection zone and reducing dependence on large aircraft carrier groups. This is especially important in potential theaters of war, such as the Indo-Pacific region, where the confrontation with China requires new approaches to the use of force.

With this event in mind, we can talk about the beginning of a new era in the operation of unmanned systems at the level of tactical units, where UAVs become not just an auxiliary tool, but a full-fledged element of combat control and fire support.