As the U.S. Marine Corps shifts away from operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and towards the Pacific, the service recognizes the need to have large unmanned aircraft capable of operating from ships.

By U. S. Marine Corps [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Brig. Gen. (sel.) Karsten Heckl, the assistant deputy commandant for aviation, said large aircraft are necessary in order to fulfill roles such as airborne early warning or medical evacuation.

Source: Alert 5