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BULGARIAN MILITARY
A unique event took place during the RIMPAC 2024 exercise when a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber successfully sank a surface ship using low-cost GPS-guided bombs. This significant operation was conducted on July 19, north of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, highlighting the innovative military capabilities at play.
RIMPAC 2024 has brought together varied naval and air assets from multiple nations, forming one of the largest military exercises off Hawaii’s coast this year. Among the key activities were the SINKEX exercises, where decommissioned warships, specifically the USS Dubuque [LPD 8] and USS Tarawa [LHA 1], were sunk. The USS Dubuque was officially decommissioned on July 11, 2024, followed by the USS Tarawa on July 19, 2024. This event saw extensive participation from naval units of Australia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and branches of the U.S. military, including the Air Force, Army, and Navy.
SINKEX exercises, where old warships are utilized as live-fire targets, are integral to RIMPAC. During this year’s edition, the USS Tarawa was a highlight, sunk using the advanced LRASM [long-range anti-ship missile], launched from a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet. This demonstrates the collaborative and high-stakes nature of the exercise.
A low-cost method
However, a recent statement revealed that a B-2 Spirit bomber employed a “low-cost method” to sink the USS Tarawa using a new munition developed under the QUICKSINK program. This information was shared by the U.S. Third Fleet, which manages U.S. Navy operations in the Pacific, in a statement released on July 22.
The statement emphasized that “This capability is a response to the urgent need to rapidly neutralize maritime threats across large expanses of ocean around the world at minimal cost.” Analysts have focused on the broader implications of the United States testing of the QUICKSINK and the LRASM missile.
The QUICKSINK system is now integrated with the JDAM, the widely used air-to-surface GPS guidance kit for bombs. This system offers enhanced guidance to transform these weapons into ship “killers,” providing more cost-effective options and greater flexibility for commanders, according to both the Navy and Air Force.
This system has a lengthy development history. Notably, in 2004, Pacific Air Forces practiced using JDAMs against the ex-USS Schenectady in an exercise called Resultant Fury, about 20 years ago.
New capabilities
With China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, and as U.S. forces assess new capabilities for future use, some experts believe the QUICKSINK munition could be particularly effective in disrupting vulnerable enemy logistics vessels, like cargo ships and oil tankers, which often lack advanced air defense systems.
Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Capabilities Concepts and Assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, noted, “Both long-range and penetrating maritime strikes are needed to create the volume necessary to deny the PLA Navy’s first attempt to invade a friend like Taiwan or elsewhere in the South China Sea.”
About QUICKSINK
The U.S. QUICKSINK program is an initiative by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory [AFRL] aimed at developing advanced air-delivered munitions capable of rapidly and effectively neutralizing maritime threats, including enemy submarines and surface vessels. The program focuses on enhancing the precision, lethality, and adaptability of existing and new weapon systems to ensure dominance in maritime warfare scenarios.
One of the primary goals of the QUICKSINK program is to create munitions that can be deployed from a variety of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs]. This flexibility allows the U.S. military to respond swiftly to emerging threats in diverse operational environments, ensuring that maritime targets can be engaged and destroyed with minimal delay.
Under the QUICKSINK program, several bombs and bomb kits have been developed or are in development. One notable example is the GBU-53/B StormBreaker, a precision-guided glide bomb designed to engage moving targets in all weather conditions. The StormBreaker features a tri-mode seeker, which includes millimeter-wave radar, infrared imaging, and semi-active laser guidance, allowing it to accurately strike maritime targets even in challenging environments.
JDAM
Another significant development under the QUICKSINK program is the Joint Direct Attack Munition [JDAM] kit, which can be attached to conventional unguided bombs to convert them into precision-guided munitions. The JDAM kit includes a GPS guidance system and control surfaces, enabling the bomb to adjust its flight path and accurately hit designated targets. This capability is particularly valuable for engaging in moving maritime threats, as it enhances the bomb’s accuracy and effectiveness.
The QUICKSINK program also explores the integration of advanced sensors and targeting systems to improve the detection and engagement of maritime threats. This includes the development of new radar and sonar technologies, as well as enhanced data fusion and processing capabilities. By leveraging these advancements, the US military aims to achieve superior situational awareness and target acquisition, ensuring that QUICKSINK munitions can be employed with maximum effectiveness.