During the recent Exercise ATLANTIC ALLIANCE 2025 held off the US East Coast, the US Marine Corps (USMC) demonstrated an expanded role in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) through the employment of the MV-22B OSPREY – particularly in expeditionary command and control, distributed sensing, and sensor deployment. This evolution is part of the Corps’ broader effort to extend the reach and resilience of the naval undersea warfare architecture, which traditionally relies on destroyers, attack submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft – both rotary- and fixed-wing.

Although not a traditional ASW platform, the OSPREY’s unique combination of speed, range, and vertical lift is now being leveraged to support and enhance existing ASW capabilities. According to a media release from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 successfully deployed A-size sonobuoys as part of the ASW “fleet playbook.” This capability was also confirmed by Capt. Bill Howey, Director of Maritime Operations for Commander Submarine Group 2.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) supported the effort by integrating automated sonar processing and sensor command-and-control tools. These technologies enabled Marine Corps platforms to contribute to real-time undersea warfare operations during the exercise.

The scenario simulated a Red Sea-type conflict, where an irregular threat escalates into full-scale war with a state actor supplying advanced weapons. Coalition naval forces practiced defending against long-range missiles, aircraft, and submarine attacks, under the protection of a US Carrier Strike Group (CSG). The exercise also included amphibious operations, both by air and sea, aimed at neutralizing littoral threats and ensuring safe transit through a narrow strait. The drills emphasized joint force integration among US, Canadian, British, and Dutch forces, with a focus on bilateral reconnaissance and simulated strait transits.

According to a US Navy press release, the OSPREY’s role in ASW could further evolve with the potential development of specialized variants, as well as the integration of emerging technologies and kinetic systems, including torpedoes, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and air-to-ground missiles (AGMs).

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