In a significant shift from traditional roles, Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (VMM-162) have begun deploying A-size sonobuoys from MV-22 Osprey aircraft during an anti-submarine exercise near Wallops Island, Virginia. The operation, which took place in mid-July 2025, marked the first time the Ospreys were used to support an undersea detection mission normally reserved for Navy platforms like the P-8 Poseidon.
Crew Chief Sergeant Victor Estes, aboard VMM-162, described the exercise:
“We dropped tubes equipped with small parachutes from the rear ramps — placing sensors in the water to detect submarine activity.”
VMM-162 Executive Officer Maj. Sean Penzak emphasized the aircraft’s utility:
“The Osprey’s speed and range, along with its payload capacity, make it very effective in the anti-submarine warfare arena.”
- U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Estes, crew chief of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, deploys a sonobuoy from an MV-22B Osprey during a flight near the Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island, Virginia, July 2, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Orlanis Diaz Figueroa)
Strengthening Navy Partnerships
This development reflects increasing cross-branch integration as the Marines support the Navy ASW mission. Navy Capt. Bill Howey, director of maritime operations for Submarine Group Two, said:
“We’ve moved beyond the question of whether the Marine Corps can contribute to ASW. Now we’re improving how they contribute – and integrating it into the fleet playbook.”
The Osprey’s compatibility with expeditionary advanced base operations and distributed aviation concepts makes it flexible for rapid ASW deployments in littoral and open ocean.
Operational Benefits of Osprey Integration
- Greater Reach: The MV-22 combines vertical lift with fixed-wing speed and range, enabling an expanded sensor deployment zone and faster repositioning than rotary-wing alternatives.
- Distributed Operations: Equipped for expeditionary airfields, the Osprey can support ASW from forward or rugged locations, reducing reliance on fixed maritime patrol bases.
- Force Multiplier: The addition of a Marine platform allows for greater persistence and redundancy in sensor deployment, supporting both tactical and strategic underwater awareness.
These capabilities build on previous strategic discussions regarding integrating platforms such as the C-130J and MV-22 into future undersea warfare concepts.
A US Navy P-8 Poseidon deploys a sonobuoy at the Atlantic Test Range. Developed by Boeing Defense, Space and Security, the P-8 is a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation airliner and designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and intelligence missions. (Naval Air Systems Command)
Regional Threat Context and Strategic Requirements
The Marine Corps’ focus on maritime ASW is embedded in a broader recalibration toward peer-level threats. Increased submarine activity by major state actors such as Russia and China has increased the importance of detecting and monitoring underwater threats to critical infrastructure and maritime chokepoints.
Increased naval maneuvers by adversaries in the Mid-Atlantic and Arctic regions have prompted NATO allies to expand ASW sensor networks and air coverage – often in coordination with naval platforms.
Challenges and Scaling Considerations
While promising, the program faces obstacles:
- Training and Doctrine Development: Naval aviators and support crews must master sonobuoy deployment procedures, data integration, and sensor interpretation under operational tempo conditions.
- Logistics and Sustainability: Sonobuoy resupply, mission planning, and integration into the Navy’s command and control structure must be coordinated for operational consistency.
- Platform Wear and Safety: The MV-22 remains primarily a transport aircraft; frequent low-altitude deployment missions can accelerate airframe and maintenance cycles.
Despite a several-month grounding for safety updates in 2024, the tiltrotor fleet returned to full flight status in early 2025.
Looking Ahead: Expanding ASW Role
The experiments underscore the evolving battlefield landscape for the U.S. Marine Corps. Analysts suggest that the integration of Osprey-launched sonobuoys could set the stage for future ASW missions that include torpedo delivery, sensor drones or even Marine-operated autonomous systems.
As the Marine Aviation Plan outlines next-generation tiltrotor concepts, the service continues to evaluate successors to the MV-22 that could further improve its role in integrated maritime operations.
- U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment Marines provide cover as an MV-22B Osprey flies overhead during an airstrike exercise over Okinawa. More deployed MV-22 units increase U.S. readiness in the Pacific, and new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) upgrades significantly enhance the aircraft’s ability to counter Chinese subsurface threats. (U.S. Marine Corps)
Conclusion
The Marine Corps’ deployment of MV-22s in submarine-hunting roles is a milestone in reshaping force employment. By integrating transport aviation and underwater search, the Corps enhances joint force capabilities while signaling strategic adaptability. As global naval threats evolve, such innovations could redefine how seabed awareness and maritime defense are conducted.
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FAQs
The Marines are using MV-22B Ospreys to deploy sonobuoys as part of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises. This approach combines the Osprey’s unique capabilities – vertical takeoff and landing – with high-speed, long-range flight to enhance ASW operations. By deploying sonobuoys from these aircraft, Marines can expand sensor coverage and provide rapid response in detecting and tracking submarines, especially in areas where traditional naval platforms may have limitations.
The MV-22B Osprey offers several advantages for ASW missions:
Extended reach: Its combination of vertical lift and fixed-wing speed allows for a wider sensor deployment zone.
Rapid recovery: The aircraft’s speed enables rapid mobility between deployment sites, increasing operational flexibility.
Reduced dependency on fixed bases: The Osprey’s ability to operate from expeditionary airfields reduces reliance on established maritime patrol bases.
These capabilities make the Osprey a valuable asset in modern ASW operations.
Integrating the MV-22B Osprey into ASW operations reflects a strategic shift toward addressing peer-level maritime threats posed by Russia and China. By expanding the Marine Corps’ role in ASW, the U.S. military aims to strengthen its underwater search capabilities and protect critical maritime infrastructure. This integration also supports distributed aviation concepts and expeditionary advanced base operations, which are consistent with a broader defense strategy to counter increased submarine activity in key regions.
he MV-22B Osprey’s involvement in ASW operations offers significant benefits, but several challenges need to be addressed:
Training and Doctrine Development: Aviators and support crews must acquire new skills for sonobuoy deployment and data interpretation.
Logistics and Sustainability: Sonobuoy resupply coordination and integration of operations into existing Navy command structures are essential for continued mission execution.
Platform Wear and Safety: Frequent low-altitude deployments can impact the Osprey’s airframe and maintenance cycles, requiring careful management to ensure safety and operational readiness.
Addressing these challenges is critical to increasing the Osprey’s effectiveness in its expanded ASW role.
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