The US Air Force has unveiled its latest innovation in maritime defense, the Quicksink weapon, which enhances the capabilities of conventional bombs by turning them into precision anti-ship missiles.
The Quicksink weapon, developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, meets this need by transforming inexpensive, unguided bombs into precision-guided anti-ship missiles. The recent demonstration, where a B-1 bomber successfully sank the decommissioned MV Monarch Countess, is a testament to the weapon’s potency.
Traditionally, anti-ship missions rely on torpedoes, such as the US Type 46, which delivers devastating impact by exploding beneath a ship’s keel. However, these torpedoes come with significant drawbacks, including their high cost—around $1.2 million per shot—and the risk of revealing a submarine’s location. Additionally, submarines have limited range and speed, which restricts their ability to cover vast areas like the Indo-Pacific region.
Quicksink addresses these issues with a modular, open-architecture design that repurposes the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) system. By equipping standard bombs with airfoils and a guidance system, Quicksink offers the precision of a torpedo at a fraction of the cost—approximately $300,000 per round. This makes it a highly attractive option for deployment by fighter planes and bombers, enabling rapid strikes over large distances.
“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 Colonel Matthew Caspers, Director of the Munitions Directorate.
One of Quicksink’s standout features is its laser-guided targeting system, which allows it to precisely hit both stationary and moving surface vessels. This capability is particularly useful against unaccompanied ships that may be smuggling contraband or acting as covert missile platforms. Although Quicksink has a flight range of only 40 nautical miles (74 km), it is designed to be deployed from stealth aircraft flying at high speed and altitude, minimizing the risk of detection and interception by enemy defenses.
The recent RIMPAC SINKEX exercise in the Gulf of Mexico, where Quicksink was tested alongside other anti-ship weapons, further demonstrated its effectiveness. The exercise included participants from several allied nations, underscoring the weapon’s potential role in international maritime security.
Source: AFRL