Shawn Snow July 20, 2018 While the particulars may be fresh, the intent has been lingering in the minds of Marine Corps war planners for some time, with some success but also failure for more ambitious projects. Back in 2018, the Corps envisioned up to 15 suicide drones, or loitering munitions, in the hands of infantry units with a mix of abilities ― from warheads for troop and vehicles to electronic attack payload to take out enemy communications or sensor systems. At around the same time, the Corps announced that it would divest of 120 mm mortar systems, leaving a gap of firepower coverage that it hopes loitering munitions could fill.