US Navy tests sonobuoy deployment from Marine MV-22B Osprey
The first production lot acceptance test of new sonobuoys using an MV-22B Osprey took place off San Clemente Island on Aug. 19, 2026, the Navy's anti-submarine warfare program office announced.
The U.S. Navy has run its first production lot acceptance test of new sonobuoys from an MV-22B Osprey, the Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office (PMA-264) said. The Sonobuoy Quality Assurance Program test flew on Aug. 19, 2026, off San Clemente Island, California. It was announced on Sep. 22, 2026.
The program had previously used the P-3C Orion of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30). According to PMA-264, the Osprey was an alternative test platform that helped cut a testing backlog and supported operational readiness, laying groundwork for wider fleet use.
Images posted on the DVIDS network on Sept. 2 show sonobuoys loaded onto an MV-22B from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. The release and the image caption state the test involved hand-launching sonobuoys by opening the aircraft's rear ramp. PMA-264 also described the manual method and the crew's piloting technique.
The test follows ongoing work to adapt the MV-22B for anti-submarine warfare by distributing sonobuoys rapidly over water.
Sources
- theaviationist.comMarine MV-22B Osprey Conducts First Sonobuoy Lot Acceptance Test