BOGUE, N.C. (March 7, 2023) U.S. Department of Defense contractors start a V-BAT unmanned aerial system for flight operations during 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Exercise III at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., March 7, 2023. The V-BAT is a vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial system with a small logistical footprint, able to be launched from ship or while ashore, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tracking capabilities. The versatility of the V-BAT grants the MEU an expeditionary advantage, which will increase lethality and combat effectiveness on deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)