The US just used a stealth bomber to sink a ship in the Pacific

During a massive series of Maritime wargames called RIMPAC 2024 held earlier this month, a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber demonstrated a new relatively low-cost — but extremely effective — means of engaging even large enemy warships dubbed QUICKSINK.

This weapon, which could be thought of as an anti-ship JDAM, has significant implications for the future of naval warfare, so let's talk about it.

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[PasleyAviationPhotography]

Quick sink sounds like something a novice would buy at Home Depot.

[wesr]

As a former sailor, that thing is terror-effing-fying.

[GainingDespair]

I am shocked, an actually affordable weapon which isn't 5x the cost of the target.

[certainthings]

And the B-2 Spirit can carry about 16 of those bombs....yikes!!!!

[maotseovich]

RIP Tarawa. From hosting Harriers (the first jet to go fighter ace since Vietnam) to being a practice target... :(

[brettlaw]

It is designed to blow under the keel. Just below the waterline would fail to overcome the compartmentalization used by ships to prevent damage from the hull from sinking the ship. A blast under the ship keel breaks the ship in half, simultaneously lifting it and allowing the slap of water refilling the bubble created by the blast to effectively slap the ship apart.

[zakwalls]

I literally just thought “I wanna see a B2 vs a Chinese navy vessel”, Alex Hollings runs the simulation confirmed

[mikestewart]

Quick Sink: It does what it says on the tin™️

[degenerateactual]

Just imagine once these weapons are utilized by B-21s instead of B-2s

[Wilhuf]

It’s a bargain except for the $2.13 Billion stealth bomber.

[weyeswonder]

Learning of these successful weapons tests make me feel much more secure.
Thank you Sandboxx!

[Mark-BS-YT-name]

Not only B-2 capable. F-18, F-35, B-1, F-15E can all carry a 2000lb JDAM.

[ARandomCustodian]

I think he got the effects of the NSM and LRASM mixed up. LRASM has a 1, 000 ib warhead while the NSM has a much smaller warhead.

[pauld]

Don't forget that the Tarawa class was only about 50 feet shorter than W.W. II Essex class aircraft carriers (40-ish if compared to the early Essexes).

[ShopDog-Garage]

Wow, I was once a Marine on LHA-1! Spent time after the flood on Camp Pendleton living and working on the Tarawa. I am a little sad to see her sunk.

[srijonmondal]

So it means that a Quick sink guided bomb with electronic warfare munitions and aircrafts can be used to quickly takeout a hugely expensive ship...
Its like fpv drones and tanks.

[corsair]

Navy doesn't play too often with 2000lb GBU...however with the Quicksink kit available, this add's a nice, inexpensive tool to erase a surface target.

[markenda]

Imagine using anti-ship missiles along with this capability. While the battle group is busy engaging a surface level attack, a stealth bomber cruises overhead and drops a load of these munitions, one for every ship.

[mikerice]

I will miss the Tarawa, i was on her i 1979 on a west pac deployment, i was golf company 2/3. She was a very nice ship.

[TheComputerCowboy]

Good to see the gang back together. Hope that demonstration sends a strong message to our lesser friendly neighbors across the pond.