The tests are part of a rapid effort by the U.S. government to develop an answer to small drones, which are increasingly being used by terror groups and drug cartels. The staggering demand hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of funding for research, in contrast to the relatively cheap cost of small consumer drones has already created a private economy to produce counter-drone technology for the military, involving dozens of aerospace and defense companies.
In the current fiscal year, the Defense Department is looking to spend at least $404 million on research and development and at least $83 million on procurement of counter-UAS technology, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service. And other agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, are looking to capture a share of the market, raising concerns that the efforts could lead to further surveillance and militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Marine Corps inspector general suspended pending third investigation into AAV accident May 3 Maj. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi, the then -outgoing commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, speaks during a change of command ceremony held at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 22, 2020. (Cpl. Jailine L. AliceaSantiago/Marine Corps) At the end of April, the Marine Corps suspended Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi, the inspector general of the Marine Corps and former 1st Marine Division commander, from his duties pending the outcome of a third investigation into a deadly sinking accident. Prior to taking on the role as inspector general of the Marine Corps, Castellvi was the commander of the 1st Marine Division, responsible for the training and readiness of the Marines of 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion and 1st Battalion, 4th Marines.
Pekin Daily Times
When Pekin Community High School graduate and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ryan Ortega embarked on a fundraising bicycle ride across the United States with his son, Ty, they were hoping to raise enough money to send two military veterans on Honor Flights to Washington, D.C.
They reached that goal before the first pedal stroke of a trek that began at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California.
“With the pandemic, I almost didn’t go public with (this fundraiser),” Ortega said. “It was just going to be a quiet thing. But about a week before we started the ride, we set up a GoFundMe (page). Before we even got to California, before our first pedal stroke, we had already raised over $1,000.”