US Air Force and Navy test QUICKSINK anti-ship weapons system

News, US August 10, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. Air Force and Navy recently conducted a significant live-fire test in the Gulf of Mexico, showcasing the potential of the QUICKSINK anti-ship weapon system. The test involved a B-2 Spirit heavy strategic bomber, marking an important step forward in the U.S. military’s ongoing efforts to enhance maritime strike capabilities.

The QUICKSINK system is designed to neutralize surface vessels using precision-guided bombs modified specifically to counter maritime threats at a lower cost than traditional methods. The test is part of a broader effort by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for maritime warfare.

The QUICKSINK program is particularly notable for using a guidance kit equipped with the new Weapon Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) seeker solution. This technology enhances the precision and lethality of air-launched munitions against both static and moving targets at sea. The ability to integrate QUICKSINK with existing and future weapon systems offers significant flexibility to the U.S. military, ensuring that it can adapt to evolving maritime threats.

One of the key advantages of QUICKSINK is its ability to deliver rapid, effective strikes against enemy vessels without revealing the user’s location. This stands in contrast to traditional ship-killing projectiles, such as the MK-48 heavyweight torpedo, which are effective but can potentially compromise the launch platform’s position. By minimizing this risk, QUICKSINK enhances the survivability of U.S. forces in contested maritime environments.

“The development of this technology helps deliver technological superiority to ensure the United States can defend our interests, maintain freedom of action, and seize the initiative over large maritime areas,” said Col. Matthew Caspers, Munitions Director at AFRL. His statement underscores the strategic importance of maintaining technological superiority in modern warfare, particularly in the increasingly contested maritime domain.

*^{The QUICKSINK test item displaying classic girder-whipping in QUICKSINK Experiment 2. (Image Credit: AFMC 96 RANSS/RNRD)}*

The QUICKSINK capability is being developed under the U.S. Air Force and Navy’s broader Maritime Weapon Program at Eglin Air Force Base, an initiative aimed at boosting the military’s anti-ship lethality. The program has seen significant progress over the past few years, with key milestones including the selection of BAE Systems in 2023 to develop an air-launched anti-ship munition seeker for QUICKSINK.

In 2022, the AFRL successfully tested a modified 2,000-pound (907-kilogram) Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) from an F-15E Strike Eagle combat jet. This earlier test demonstrated the potential of QUICKSINK to deliver powerful strikes against maritime targets, setting the stage for the recent B-2 Spirit test.

“The men and women of the Munitions Directorate consistently find ways to solve our nation’s greatest challenges,” Caspers commented during the Gulf of Mexico demonstration. “QUICKSINK is an answer to an urgent need to neutralize maritime threats to freedom around the world.”

One of the unique aspects of the QUICKSINK program is its ability to modify existing and future Department of Defense (DoD) weapons systems, providing combatant commanders and national leaders with new tools to counter maritime threats. This flexibility is critical as the Department of Defense seeks to maintain its edge in an era of rapidly evolving military technologies and strategies.

While QUICKSINK is not classified as a mine, it is designed to have immediate and devastating effects on enemy platforms, making it a powerful addition to the U.S. military’s arsenal. The program’s focus on cost efficiency and adaptability also aligns with broader DoD efforts to optimize defense spending while ensuring that the U.S. remains capable of defending its interests across the globe.