The U.S. Marine Corps is poised for a significant leap in combat effectiveness as it experiments with a suite of new, high-tech marksmanship tools designed to refine shooting skills and enhance data analysis capabilities.

The integration of these technologies marks a major overhaul in training, aiming to address the combat shooting proficiency challenges identified by a 2018 study, which revealed Marines had only a 30% chance of a lethal hit under certain combat conditions.

At the core of these advancements is the Mantis X10 and Unit 4 equipment, which can be inserted into an M4 or M27, permitting Marines to practice dry fire, utilize a laser, and experience recoil without using live rounds.

According to Col. Greg Jones, commander of the Weapons Training Battalion, “This is a digital snap-in barrel, and it provides you feedback,” allowing for instant correction of shooting techniques that traditional “snap-in” barrel practices couldn’t offer.

The innovative joint marksmanship assessment package, which incorporates a smartphone or tablet, an acoustics measuring device, and a smartwatch to monitor movement, has proven its efficacy in collecting a company’s worth of data in less than four hours.

The result is actionable plans to enhance marksmanship, a testament to the Marine Corps’ commitment to data-driven improvement.

This technological transformation aligns with the Corps’ broader strategic updates. As part of these changes, the Marine Corps will merge two air control jobs by 2026 and field a new suite of air defense systems by 2025.

This move acknowledges the escalating threats in contemporary combat environments, where long-range operations are becoming the norm.

The Corps is deploying the medium range intercept capability and other air defense assets, integrating them within a multifunctional air operations center to streamline control and coordination.

The Marine Corps’ investment in state-of-the-art training tools and strategic updates extends to all major installations.

In September 2023, Valiant Global Defense Services, Inc., under subcontractor Conflict Kinetics, was awarded an $11.3 million contract to deliver the advanced small arms lethality trainer, signifying an unprecedented level of commitment to sharpening the lethal edge of Marine marksmanship across various bases.

As the Corps forges ahead, its dedication to incorporating these technologies promises to fortify its combat readiness, enhancing the lethality and precision of its warriors on the global stage.

With training paradigms shifting to meet the demands of future conflicts, the Marines remain steadfast in their pursuit of superior warfare capabilities, solidifying their position as a formidable force in the defense of national interests.