The annual naval exercise of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for 2025 began on February 13 at Laem Thian Klang Pier, Sattahip Port, located at Sattahip Naval Base in Chonburi Province. This opening ceremony featured the presentation of new military equipment designed, developed, and manufactured by the Thai defense industry, including the MARCUS-B (2024) maritime reconnaissance drone, also known as MARCUS-C. This vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (VTOL UAV) is part of the third generation of the Maritime Aerial Reconnaissance Craft Unmanned System (MARCUS), specifically designed for naval operations.
The MARCUS-B was developed by the Naval Research and Development Office (NRDO) of the Royal Thai Navy in collaboration with several local private companies, including Oceanus Research and Development (Thailand), X-Treme Composites (Thailand), and BJSupply 2017 (Thailand). This maritime patrol drone measures 2.8 meters in length with a wingspan of 4.8 meters and has a maximum take-off weight of 50 kg. It can reach a cruising speed of 50 to 70 knots, with an operational ceiling of 5,000 meters above sea level. Its flight endurance ranges from 4 to 6 hours, and it can carry a payload of 8 kg. A complete system includes two drone airframes and one Ground Control Station (GCS).