
The US Air Force is looking to expand its options for destroying enemy ships in a future war. A new variant of the ship-destroying Quicksink guided bomb This test was carried out with the aim of providing a more cost-effective and flexible solution against sea targets.
2-Pound Quicksink Tested with B-500 Spirit
In a June 4 statement, the U.S. Air Force announced that it has completed a test at the Gulf Test Range at Eglin Air Force Base off the coast of Florida A 2-pound Quicksink version made from the GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) from the B-500 Spirit stealth bomber Previous Quicksink tests have been conducted with 2.000-pound bombs. This means a smaller version, potentially capable of being dropped from a wider variety of platforms, is being developed.
Quicksink Project and Its Strategic Importance
Quicksink is an effort by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to strengthen its ability to destroy enemy ships. This capability It will be especially important in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan.In this scenario, where a tough fight is envisaged in the Pacific Ocean, US forces' destruction of Chinese ships could play a critical role.
Previous tests have used modified GBU-31 JDAMs to destroy target ships. These JDAMs are guided by GPS and use fins to guide them toward their target as they fall. AFRL previously said it redesigned the JDAM’s nose plug to make it more suitable for maritime strikes. AFRL noted that the stock JDAM nose could cause the bomb to shoot off the surface in unexpected directions instead of hitting its target, but the Quicksink redesign is designed to keep the bomb on target.
Cost Effectiveness and Operational Flexibility
Quicksink bombs do not move underwater toward their targets like traditional torpedoes. The Air Force says converting existing guided bombs to Quicksink weapons would provide anti-ship capabilities at a lower cost than weapons such as torpedoes.
The new Quicksink variant will extend the B-2’s targeting range, giving combatant commanders more options to engage enemy targets, the Air Force said in a statement. AFRL declined to provide further details on how the 500-pound version provides more targeting options or when the final test occurred, citing security concerns.
“The Quicksink provides an affordable, game-changing solution for rapidly and effectively sinking maritime targets,” Col. Dan Lehoski, commander of Eglin’s 53rd Squadron, said in a statement. “AFRL’s 500-pound Quicksink variant adds options for the warfighter and increases operational flexibility.”
The AFRL said video of the latest test was classified and could not be released. But a previous video released in 2022 showed a Quicksink bomb hurtling toward an empty ship and exploding, splitting it in two and sending it underwater within seconds. These tests clearly demonstrate the potential of the Quicksink project.