Hegseth directed schools to rank applicants by an aggregate score factoring in athletic ability and past military experience, among other qualifications.
The service wants CCAs to fly alongside aircraft like the F-35 and F-47, and autonomously carry out missions like airstrikes, recon and serving as decoy.
“The big thing that really keeps me up at night is swarms,” Col. Andrew Konicki, head of ground-based air defense for Marine Corps Systems Command, said.