The branch would be responsible for integrating drones across the Army, providing specialized training as well as leading research and development efforts.
The Marine Corps wants to ensure all the right data can flow between its small units operating forward and their joint and coalition partners in theater.
Attacks on critical infrastructure — food and water delivery, health care services, defense contracting and more — could hamper U.S. military response.
The decision marks the service’s most significant step yet as it aims to create a series of drones using autonomous software to fly alongside piloted jets.
Overhauling Australia’s overhead defenses is expected to generate hundreds of local jobs as well as open the door to a multibillion-dollar export market.