Updated March 28, 2023
The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)
Background
reconnaissance and counter reconnaissance battle within a
On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)
contested area at the leading edge of a maritime defense-in-
announced a major force design initiative planned to occur
depth.”
over the next 10 years referred to as “Force Design 2030.”
As part of this initiative, the Marine Corps intends to
MLR Employment
redesign forces to place a stronger emphasis on naval
According to a May 25, 2022 Marine Corps Association
expeditionary warfare and to better align with the National
article “Missions, MAGTFs, Force Design & Change,” by
Defense Strategy, in particular, the strategy’s focus on
Colonel Michael R. Kennedy, USMC (Retired), MLRs are
strategic competition with China and Russia. As part of this
intended to:
redesign, the Marines plan to establish at least three Marine
Littoral Regiments (MLRs) organized, trained, and
Deploy to islands, coastlines, and observation posts
equipped to accomplish a number of missions within
along chokepoints where their networked sensors
contested maritime spaces.
and weapons can surveil the air and surface (and,
MLR Missions
potentially subsurface) waterways. The timing of
their insertion is implied to be in the “competition”
According to the Marines, the MLR is to be capable of the
phase before hostilities start. The duration of their
following missions:
stay is less clear, and potentially challenging as
resupply over long distances …will be challenging
Conduct Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations
… Host nation support (if it exists) will be critical
(EABO), a form of expeditionary warfare involving the
as will prepositioned supplies and even “foraging.”
employment of naval expeditionary forces with low
The MLR’s purpose will be to observe and prevent
electronic and physical signatures, which are relatively
any “grey zone” activities that lead to fait accompli
easy to maintain/sustain. These forces are to be arrayed
actions. In some cases, it is presumed that they may
in a series of austere, temporary locations ashore within
be the “trigger” that shifts the status from
a contested or potentially contested maritime area to
conduct sea denial, support, sea control, and fleet
competition to conflict if any premature hostile acts
sustainment operations;
are directed towards their positions.
Conduct strike operations with a variety of systems;
Proposed MLR Organizational Structure
Marine Corps leadership has stated it requires further
Coordinate air and missile defense operations;
analysis and experimentation to refine MLR organizational
structure. As currently envisioned, the MLR is planned to
Support maritime domain awareness;
consist of approximately 1,800 to 2,000 Sailors and
Marines and composed of four elements:
Support naval surface warfare operations; and
A Command Element;
Support information operations.
The MLR’s Operational Environment
A Littoral Combat Team consisting of an infantry
battalion and an anti-ship missile battery. The Littoral
The Commandant of the Marine Corps’ May 2022 Force
Combat Team is to provide the basis for multiple
Design 2030 Annual Update states:
platoon reinforced-sized expeditionary advanced base
sites capable of conducting a variety of missions;
The security environment is characterized by
proliferation of sophisticated sensors and precision
A Littoral Anti-Air Battalion designed to conduct air
weapons
coupled
with
growing
strategic
defense, air surveillance and early warning, air control,
competition. Potential adversaries employ systems
and forward rearming and refueling operations; and
and tactics to hold the fleet and joint force at arm’s
length, allowing them to employ a strategy that uses
A Combat Logistics Battalion designed to resupply
contested areas as a shield behind which they can
expeditionary advanced base sites, manage cache sites,
apply a range of coercive measures against our
and connect with higher-level logistics providers. The
allies and partners.
Combat Logistics Battalion is also to provide limited
purchasing authority, medical support, ammunition and
Operating in this environment, MLRs are envisioned to
fuel distribution, and field maintenance.
serve as what the Marines call a “Stand-In Force (SIF),”
primarily to “help the fleet and joint force win the
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The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)
Selected MLR Systems
Guam, at some point in the future. The Marines have not
In order to accomplish the wide range of missions
indicated if additional MLRs are planned for other regions.
envisioned for the MLR, Marines Corps leadership cite four
major essential systems.
Potential Issues for Congress
The Marine Corps Force Design 2030 and the creation of
Navy-Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction
MLRs raise a number of potential issues for Congress,
System (NMESIS)
including but not limited to:
NMESIS consists of the Naval Strike Missile mounted on
the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). It is a ground
MLR Utility Outside the Indo-Pacific
based anti-ship capability intended to facilitate sea denial
While Marine leadership have noted MLRs are being
and control.
designed to operate in the Indo-Pacific region, the Marines
have global security responsibilities. Russia’s February
Figure 1. Navy-Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship
2022 invasion of Ukraine has arguably changed the global
Interdiction System (NMESIS)
security environment and raises potential questions about
what role MLRs might play outside of the Indo-Pacific
region. Are MLRs structured and equipped to successfully
operate in support of U.S. NATO responsibilities if
required? If three Indo-Pacific MLRs are needed to support
operations in the region, are there plans to develop MLRs
for other regions? Congress might decide to examine MLR
structure and capabilities in regards to how MLRs might
support potential NATO operations and if additional force
structure and systems should be dedicated to create MLRs
to support operations outside the Indo-Pacific region.
Source: First Lieutenant James Winnefeld,” NMESIS Now,”
Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute, November 2021.
Role of the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW)
The Marines have noted Stand-In Forces require organic
MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
operational mobility, such as the LAW, to deploy and
The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-to-high altitude, long
sustain MLR elements in support of EABO. The Navy
endurance UAS. The MQ-9’s primary mission is to serve as
envisions procuring up to 35 LAWs and had planned
a persistent hunter-killer against enemy targets. The MQ-
procuring the first LAW in FY2023, but deferred the
9’s alternate mission is to act as an intelligence,
procurement of the first LAW to FY2025. While Navy
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform by
leadership has stated procuring the LAW is a priority, press
employing sensors to provide real-time data to joint force
reports suggest the Marines and Navy have differing views
commanders.
about required LAW numbers and capabilities. Pending
delivery of the first LAWs – and perhaps as an alternative
AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar
means for fulfilling roles planned for LAWs – the Marines
(G/ATOR)
are now examining options for other platforms. Given
Initially fielded in 2018, G/ATOR is an expeditionary,
uncertain and shifting Navy shipbuilding plans and the
multifunctional radar system, intended to enhance the
Marine’s reliance on the procurement of LAWs, Congress
MLR’s ability to perform counterfire and air defense
may examine risks associated with MLR deployment and
missions, such as defending against cruise missiles and
sustainment if fewer LAWs are procured or if fielding
UASs.
timelines are extended. If Congress deems such risks
unacceptable, Congress might decide to reprioritize Navy
Light Amphibious Warship (LAW)
shipbuilding plans or provide additional funding for the
A Navy program, the LAW is intended to fill a capability
LAW program.
gap between large, multipurpose amphibious warfare / L-
class ships and smaller, short-range landing craft. The LAW
Additional Reading
is planned to be a low-signature, beaching, shore-to-shore
vessel with intra-theater endurance capable of operating
CRS Insight IN11281, New U.S. Marine Corps Force
independently or with other surface ships in contested
Design Initiative: Force Design 2030, by Andrew
environments in support of EABO.
Feickert.
MLR Establishment
CRS Report R47096, U.S. Ground Forces in the Indo-
On March 3, 2022, the Marines redesignated the 3rd Marine
Pacific: Background and Issues for Congress, by
Regiment as the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment at Marine
Andrew Feickert.
Corps Base Hawaii. The 3rd MLR is reportedly expected to
reach initial operational capability by the end of FY2023
CRS Report R46374, Navy Light Amphibious Warship
and full operational capability in FY2025.
(LAW) Program: Background and Issues for Congress,
by Ronald O'Rourke.
The Marines reportedly plan to convert the 12th Marine
Regiment into the 12th MLR in Okinawa, Japan, by 2025
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
and plan for a third MLR, possibly to be stationed on
IF12200
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The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)
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