US Air Force successfully tests low-cost anti-ship weapon in Gulf of Mexico.

According to information published by the US DoD on August 8, 2024, the U.S. Air Force recently showcased a new, cost-effective method for neutralizing surface vessels from the air during a QUICKSINK demonstration over the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base.
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The M/V Monarch Countess after an operational demonstration in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Picture source: Dvids)

The demonstration, involving a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, took place in July as part of the second RIMPAC SINKEX exercise, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy. The operation underscored the U.S. military's evolving naval warfare capabilities, highlighting advancement in air-delivered anti-ship lethality.

The AFRL’s Munitions Directorate at Eglin AFB is at the forefront of this initiative, working closely with the U.S. Navy to enhance anti-ship capabilities through air-launched weapons. The QUICKSINK program is designed to meet the urgent need for a flexible and efficient solution to neutralize maritime threats, offering new operational possibilities for U.S. forces.

About the Quicksink program

At its core, QUICKSINK utilizes a modified 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), which has been enhanced with a new seeker unit and integrated with the AFRL's Weapon Open Systems Architecture (WOSA).

One of the standout features of QUICKSINK is its ability to replicate the effectiveness of a submarine-launched torpedo from the air. Traditionally, sinking a ship requires precision strikes on critical points like the keel, which torpedoes achieve through underwater detonation.