Overview
- The Marine Corps published the Ground Combat Element 2040 framework on Aug. 26–27, 2026, and set near‑term (2026–2030), mid‑term (2031–2035) and long‑range (2036–2040) epochs for modernization.
- Near‑term actions already underway include more than 80 dismounted Organic Counter‑small UAS kits fielded to squads, a planned buy of roughly 300 additional kits by year‑end, and training to teach small‑unit drone defense.
- The service has bought 400,000 frangible 5.56 anti‑drone rounds for standard rifles and will field Organic Precision Fires-Light loitering munitions to squads in the coming months while developing larger OPF‑Medium systems.
- GCE 2040 directs force‑structure and lethality changes such as a fifth infantry company focused on reconnaissance and fires, more 60mm and 81mm mortars, and an extra heavy machine‑gun platoon that are now in implementation planning.
- The framework anchors all changes in a human‑centered approach that pairs Marines with AI, autonomy, resilient logistics and layered ground‑based air defenses like Home Alone, MADIS, LMADIS and MRIC to operate in sensor‑rich littoral battlespaces.