MV-22 Osprey: Future Role and Impact for Medium Lift

The MV-22s enhanced capabilities will allow the Marine Corps to achieve a greater operational distinction by enabling a timely response that is critical to our warfighting capabilities. The MV-22 will support key concepts, precision engagement and dominant maneuver, outlined in Joint Vision 2010 while providing the Marine Corps unique latitude in force projection. The most significant advantage offered by the MV-22 is to rapidly selfdeploy worldwide and arrive ready to fight. This will provide Marines the ability to quickly respond to crisis situations while reducing the impact on valuable strategic lift sorties. The Ospreys ability to fly significant distances enables Marines to respond rapidly to those situations that require immediate reinforcement or build-up of combat power. The Osprey provides unique latitude with its capability to self-deploy and greater versatility in employing military force. Two mission areas that are suitable to the Ospreys design are aerial refueltanker support and command and control C2. Increasing the MV-22s role within the Marine Corps provides a single asset that can perform multiple missions. The enhanced capabilities of the MV-22 will extend operational reach for ship-to-objective-maneuver STOM and sustained operations ashore SOA. The MV-22 will support maneuvering deep into the enemys territory thus complicating his defensive posture. The MV-22 gives Marines the ability to attack a variety of locations over a vast area. The Ospreys superior speed will strengthen the elements of surprise and make forces less visible to an unsophisticated or disoriented opponent. The Osprey will give the commander greater flexibility in offensive and defensive operations. The ability to maneuver deeper into enemy territory will alter Marine tactics. The MV-22 allows Marines to focus on enemy weaknesses without getting into an attrition situation.