Strike drones with lethal firepower set to be delivered to US Marines

The U.S. Marine Corps is set to receive over 600 Bolt-M strike drones from California-based defense company Anduril, under a $23.9 million contract awarded as part of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program. These machine-learning infused drones provide lethal precision firepower in a man-portable package, designed for ease of operation and rapid deployment by individual soldiers. Bolt-M drones feature autonomous waypoint navigation, target-agnostic object tracking, customizable standoff distances, and engagement modalities, with a range of 20 kilometers and endurance exceeding 40 minutes. Initial operational deployment is planned for summer 2026, with training and use in tactical formations. The Bolt-M systems underwent 13 months of rigorous testing involving over 250 units, demonstrating category-leading range, endurance, and payload capacity across multiple target scenarios. The OPF-L program aims to equip dismounted Marine infantry rifle squads with precision strike capabilities beyond line of sight, enhancing organic loitering munitions on