U.S. Marine Corps Buys 600+ Rogue 1 Kamikaze Drones
- Teledyne FLIR Defense has secured a $42.5 million contract from the U.S.
- The OPF-L program aims to equip Marine Corps rifle squads and platoons with an "organic, loitering, precision strike capability" according to the Marine Corps,enabling them to engage targets...
- the Rogue 1 is a loitering munition, frequently enough referred to as a "kamikaze drone," that can loiter in an area, observe, and then strike a target with...
U.S. Marine Corps Orders 600+ Rogue 1 Loitering Munitions from Teledyne FLIR
Overview
Teledyne FLIR Defense has secured a $42.5 million contract from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command to supply over 600 Rogue 1 loitering munition systems. This marks the first full-rate production order for the Rogue 1, following prosperous testing in 2024, and is part of the broader Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program. Deliveries are slated to begin in summer 2026.
The Rogue 1 System: Precision Strike at the Tactical Level
The OPF-L program aims to equip Marine Corps rifle squads and platoons with an “organic, loitering, precision strike capability” according to the Marine Corps,enabling them to engage targets beyond line of sight without relying on external fire support. The Rogue 1 system is designed to fulfill this need.
the Rogue 1 is a loitering munition, frequently enough referred to as a “kamikaze drone,” that can loiter in an area, observe, and then strike a target with precision.key features include:
- Modular Payloads: Supports mission-specific configurations.
- Abort & Recovery: A specialized fuzing system allows operators to abort missions and recover the munition if a target isn’t engaged, increasing reusability and reducing logistical demands.
- Electro-Optical Sensors: Equipped with day/night long-range surveillance capabilities via integrated sensors and a FLIR Boson 640+ thermal camera.
- Gimballed Payload Design: Combines the targeting sensor and warhead for enhanced accuracy.
Contract details and Company Statements
The $42.5 million contract, Delivery Order 3 under the OPF-L program, covers not only the Rogue 1 systems themselves but also ground control stations and comprehensive training kits as detailed in the Teledyne FLIR press release. This represents Teledyne’s first production-rate contract in the loitering munition market.
The accuracy and modularity of the Rogue 1 platform will enhance Marine lethality against whatever threats they may encounter in future conflicts.
Dr. JihFen Lei, President of Teledyne FLIR Defense
george Bobb, President and CEO of Teledyne Technologies, highlighted the importance of this contract, stating that it follows an initial test and evaluation contract awarded in 2024. he emphasized Teledyne’s broader capabilities in unmanned systems,encompassing air,ground,and subsea platforms.
implications for marine Corps Capabilities
The fielding of the Rogue 1 system is expected to substantially enhance the Marine Corps’ ability to conduct precision strikes at the tactical level.By providing small units with this capability,the Marines can reduce their reliance on larger,more complex fire support assets and respond more quickly to emerging threats.
Rogue 1 System Specifications (Exmaple)
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Range (Estimated) | 40 km |
| Payload Capacity | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) |
| Loiter Time (Estimated) | 60+ minutes |
| sensor Suite | Electro-Optical/Thermal (FLIR Boson 640+) |
Note: Specifications are estimates based on publicly available details and may vary.