We saw tiny handheld drones and machine-guns that can shoot 200 rounds a minute at the Marine Corps' big West Coast trade show

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The Marine Corps' big West Coast trade show kicked off on Thursday, and it featured more than 60 defense contractors showing off everything from drones that can fit in the palm of your hand to 30mm machine-guns that can blast a target with 200 rounds in under a minute.

Sponsored by the Marine Corps League, the 2017 Marine West show held at Camp Pendleton's 22 Area parade field gives a chance for Marines to check out the latest and greatest in military technology, and perhaps later, ask their bosses to buy it for them to use downrange.

"This event is really for the [non-commissioned officers] to see equipment they like," said Maj. Gen. Mike Regner (Ret.) of the Marine Corps League. "And then tell the general what they need in the field."

Business Insider took a look around the show and spoke with a number of vendors to see what Marines might be adding to their kit soon.

Here's what we saw.