The U.S. Marine Corps continues to refine the position of MV-22B Ospreys in anti-submarine warfare, this time with an eye fixed on the Indo-Pacific.
An Osprey teamed with two U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawks to distribute sonobuoys within the Philippine Sea in an train on Friday. The Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Bolstered) with the thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was launched into amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6).
Whereas the Marine Corps examined using Ospreys to deploy sonobuoys in Train Atlantic Alliance in mid-July, Friday’s iteration was the primary time a forward-deployed Osprey assigned to the thirty first MEU operated in an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) position within the Indo-Pacific theatre, the unit mentioned in a information launch.
“The Marine Corps has spent the previous 5 years retooling to struggle within the Pacific, and the submarine risk can’t be ignored. The MV-22B enhances the Navy’s capabilities so effectively that it’s laborious to imagine this wasn’t considered sooner,” Col. Chris Niedziocha, the commanding officer of the thirty first MEU, mentioned within the launch. “We’ve validated the utility of each amphibious warships and littoral forces, demonstrating the flexibility to struggle because the landward part of the fleet.”
Integrating the Osprey into ASW operations expands the MEU’s potential to detect, monitor, and deter potential adversaries working within the maritime area. The potential leverages the distinctive vary, velocity, and carrying capability capabilities of the Osprey by the deployment of superior sensors and integration with U.S. Navy capabilities, permitting for fast response and protracted surveillance, based on the discharge.
The thirty first MEU launched into America carried out joint drills from Aug. 4 to Tuesday within the Philippine Sea alongside the George Washington Service Strike Group (CSG), the U.Okay. CSG and the Japan Maritime Self-Protection Drive (JMSDF) Kaga Process Group, which features a Japanese submarine. The 2 U.S. Navy helicopters have been probably from the George Washington CSG, consisting of plane service USS George Washington (CVN-73) with embarked Service Air Wing (CVW) 5, cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) and destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86).
The joint train included ASW drills, however it’s unclear whether or not Friday’s coaching was a separate U.S. occasion or a part of the drills. Additionally it is unclear if the ASW drill concerned a submarine or using an MK39 Expendable Cellular Anti-Submarine Warfare Coaching Goal (EMATT), which simulates the acoustic and dynamic traits of a submarine.
Throughout Atlantic Alliance 2025, held June 28 to mid-July, Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM)162 delivered A-size sonobuoys whereas coaching off the East Coast of the U.S. alongside forces from the U.S. Navy, the U.Okay., the Netherlands and Canada. The Workplace of Naval Analysis additionally supported automated sonar processing and sensor command and management instruments throughout the train, with the applied sciences permitting the Marine Corps methods and platforms to contribute to real-time undersea warfare, USNI Information beforehand reported.
“We’re previous the query of whether or not the Marine Corps can contribute to ASW,” Capt. Invoice Howey, the director of maritime operations for Submarine Group 2 mentioned on the time. “Now we’re refining how they contribute after which integrating that into the fleet playbook.”
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