Updated February 27, 2024
The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)
Background
MLR Employment
On March 23, 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)
According to a May 25, 2022, Marine Corps Association
announced a major force design initiative planned to occur
article “Missions, MAGTFs, Force Design & Change,” by
over 10 years originally referred to as “Force Design 2030”
Colonel Michael R. Kennedy, USMC (Retired), MLRs are
but now known as “Force Design.” As part of this initiative,
intended to
the Marines are redesigning forces to place a stronger
Deploy to islands, coastlines, and observation posts
emphasis on naval expeditionary warfare to better align
with the National Defense Strategy, in particular, the
along chokepoints where their networked sensors
strategy’s focus on strategic competition with China and
and weapons can surveil the air and surface (and,
Russia. As part of the redesign, the Marines plan to
potentially subsurface) waterways. The timing of
establish at least three Marine Littoral Regiments (MLRs)
their insertion is implied to be in the “competition”
organized, trained, and equipped to accomplish a number of
phase before hostilities start. The duration of their
missions within contested maritime spaces.
stay is less clear, and potentially challenging as
resupply over long distances … will be
MLR Missions
challenging.… Host nation support (if it exists) will
According to the Marines, the MLR is to be capable of the
be critical as will prepositioned supplies and even
following missions:
“foraging. The MLR’s purpose will be to observe
•
and prevent any “grey zone” activities that lead to
Conduct Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations
fait accompli actions. In some cases, it is presumed
(EABO), a form of expeditionary warfare involving the
that they may be the “trigger” that shifts the status
employment of naval expeditionary forces with low
electronic and physical signatures, which are relatively
from competition to conflict if any premature
easy to maintain/sustain. Selected Marine and Navy
hostile acts are directed towards their positions.
forces are to be arrayed in a series of austere, temporary
MLR Organizational Structure
locations ashore within a contested or potentially
contested maritime area to conduct sea denial, support,
As currently envisioned, the MLR is to consist of
sea control, and fleet sustainment operations.
approximately 1,800 to 2,000 Sailors and Marines
composed of four elements:
• Conduct strike operations with a variety of systems.
• A Command Element.
• Coordinate air and missile defense operations.
• A Littoral Combat Team consisting of an infantry
• Support maritime domain awareness.
battalion and an anti-ship missile battery. The Littoral
• Support naval surface warfare operations.
Combat Team is to provide the basis for multiple
reinforced platoon-sized expeditionary advanced base
• Support information operations.
sites capable of conducting a variety of missions.
The MLR’s Operational Environment
• A Littoral Anti-Air Battalion designed to conduct air
The Commandant of the Marine Corps’ May 2022 Force
defense, air surveillance and early warning, air control,
Design 2030 Annual Update stated,
and forward rearming and refueling operations.
•
The security environment is characterized by
A Combat Logistics Battalion designed to resupply
expeditionary advanced base sites, manage cache sites,
proliferation of sophisticated sensors and precision
and connect with higher-level logistics providers. The
weapons
coupled
with
growing
strategic
Combat Logistics Battalion is also to provide limited
competition. Potential adversaries employ systems
purchasing authority, medical support, ammunition and
and tactics to hold the fleet and joint force at arm’s
fuel distribution, and field maintenance.
length, allowing them to employ a strategy that uses
contested areas as a shield behind which they can
Selected MLR Systems
apply a range of coercive measures against our
In order to accomplish the wide range of MLR missions,
allies and partners.
the Marines and Navy are pursuing a number of essential
Operating in this environment, MLRs are envisioned to
systems including, but not limited to, the following:
serve as what the Marines call a “Stand-In Force (SIF),”
Navy-Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction
intended to help the fleet and joint force win the
System (NMESIS)
reconnaissance and counter reconnaissance battle within a
contested area at the leading edge of a maritime defense-in-
NMESIS consists of the Naval Strike Missile mounted on
depth.
the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). It is a ground
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The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)
based anti-ship capability intended to facilitate sea denial
The Marines also reportedly plan to transfer the 4th Marine
and control. Reportedly, NMESIS batteries are to be
Regiment from Okinawa to Guam, where it is scheduled to
composed of 18 launchers, separated into two platoons of
be reorganized into the 4th MLR in 2027.
nine launchers each. The Marines plan to field 14 batteries,
three of which are planned to be deployed to MLRs, while
Potential Issues for Congress
11 will be deployed to the continental United States to
The Marine Corps Force Design and the creation of MLRs
support of rotational Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
raise a number of potential issues for Congress, including
deployments. The Marines plan to declare Initial Operating
but not limited to the following:
Capability (IOC) for NMESIS by 2025, once four batteries
MLR Utility Outside the Indo-Pacific
are fully equipped. After all 14 batteries are deployed in
While Marine leadership have noted MLRs are being
2030, NMESIS will reach its full operational capability
designed to operate in the Indo-Pacific region, the Marines
(FOC).
have global security responsibilities. Russia’s February
MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
2022 invasion of Ukraine has arguably changed the global
The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-to-high altitude, long
security environment and raises potential questions about
endurance UAS. The MQ-9’s primary mission is to serve as
what role MLRs might play outside of the Indo-Pacific
a persistent hunter-killer against enemy targets. The MQ-
region. Are MLRs structured and equipped to successfully
9’s alternate mission is to act as an intelligence,
operate in support of U.S. NATO responsibilities if
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform. In August
required? If three Indo-Pacific MLRs are needed to support
2023, the Marines activated the MQ-9-equipped Marine
operations in the region, are there plans to develop MLRs
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU 3) at Marine
for other regions? Congress might decide to examine MLR
Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The Marines plan
structure and capabilities in regards to how MLRs might
to field a total of 18 Reapers between two Active and one
support potential NATO operations and if additional force
Reserve squadron by 2025.
structure and systems should be dedicated to create MLRs
to support operations outside the Indo-Pacific region.
Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS)
Role of the Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM)
According to the Marines,
The Marines have noted Stand-In Forces require organic
MADIS is a short-range, surface-to-air system that
operational mobility, such as the LSM, to deploy and
enables [MLR] Low Altitude Air Defense
sustain MLR elements in support of EABO. The Navy
Battalions to deter and neutralize unmanned aircraft
envisions procuring up to 35 LSMs and had planned
systems and fixed wing/rotary wing aircraft.
procuring the first LSM in FY2023, but deferred the
Mounted aboard two JLTVs, the system is a
procurement of the first LSM to FY2025. While Navy
complementary pair. MADIS includes multiple
leadership has stated procuring the LSM is a priority, it has
disparate systems, including radar systems, surface-
been suggested the Marines and Navy have differing views
to-air missiles, and command and control elements.
about required LSM numbers and capabilities, with one
report suggesting the Marines require nine LSMs for each
MADIS Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) is
MLR. Pending delivery of the first LSMs, the Marines are
scheduled for FY2024. The 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion is
examining options for other platforms. Given uncertain and
planned to be the first unit to receive MADIS.
shifting Navy shipbuilding plans and the Marine’s reliance
on the procurement of LSMs, Congress may examine risks
Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) (Previously
associated with MLR deployment and sustainment if fewer
Light Amphibious Warship [LAW])
LSMs are procured or if fielding timelines are extended. If
A Navy program, the LSM is intended to fill a capability
Congress deems such risks unacceptable, Congress might
gap between large, multipurpose amphibious warfare/L-
decide to reprioritize Navy shipbuilding plans or provide
class ships and smaller, short-range landing craft. The LSM
additional funding for the LSM program.
is planned to be a low-signature, beaching, shore-to-shore
Additional Reading
vessel with intra-theater endurance capable of operating
independently or with other surface ships in contested
• CRS Report R47614, U.S. Marine Corps Force Design
environments in support of EABO.
2030 Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress, by
Andrew Feickert.
MLR Establishment
•
On March 3, 2022, the Marines redesignated the 3rd Marine
CRS Report R47096, U.S. Ground Forces in the Indo-
Regiment as the 3rd MLR at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
Pacific: Background and Issues for Congress, by
Reportedly, the 3rd MLR achieved IOC by the end of
Andrew Feickert.
FY2023 following the conclusion of a Force Design
• CRS Report R46374, Navy Medium Landing Ship
Integration Exercise in September 2023, where Pacific-
(LSM) (Previously Light Amphibious Warship [LAW])
based Marines, including the 3rd MLR, practiced distributed
Program: Background and Issues for Congress, by
operations and other Stand-In Force capabilities around the
Ronald O'Rourke.
Hawaiian Islands. The 3rd MLR is expected to achieve FOC
in FY2025.
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
Reportedly, the 12th Marine Artillery Regiment stationed in
IF12200
Okinawa is to be reorganized into the 12th MLR by 2025.
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The U.S. Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)


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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12200 · VERSION 9 · UPDATED

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