Posted on 06/16/2023 7:36:42 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
A recent live-fire test saw an F-15E Strike Eagle destroy a “full-scale surface vessel” in the Gulf of Mexico with a new, experimental anti-ship munition—a unique foray into anti-ship warfare.
The test, carried out by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), demonstrated the feasibility of using a GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) as a low-cost solution to quickly get mass into the fight against ships. The Air Force has dubbed its effort QUICKSINK, a nod to the modified JDAM’s role against ships and the rapidity with which the Air Force would like to validate this munition.
“QUICKSINK is an answer to an urgent need to neutralize maritime threats to freedom around the world,” said Col. Tony Meeks, director of the AFRL's Munitions Directorate, said in a statement covering the test. “The men and women of this directorate consistently find ways to solve our nation’s greatest challenges.”
QUICKSINK’s JDAM is essentially a 2,000-pound unguided bomb, modified with a bolt-on precision guidance kit for an anti-ship role. For that role, the weapon features a tail section with four control surfaces as well as a guidance unit. In the past, other munitions, such as torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, have been favored to take out enemy ships. Though now, QUICKSINK’s modified JDAM munition could offer commanders greater ordnance flexibility.
“Heavy-weight torpedoes are effective [at sinking large ships] but are expensive and employed by a small portion of naval assets,” said Maj. Andrew Swanson. “With QUICKSINK, we have demonstrated a low-cost and more agile solution that has the potential to be employed by the majority of Air Force combat aircraft, providing combatant commanders and warfighters with more options,” Major Swanson explained.
The AFRL program member explained that U.S. Navy submarines, the wolves of the ocean, pose a considerable threat to surface vessels. Still, submarines are costly, as are their anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. “A Navy submarine has the ability to launch and destroy a ship with a single torpedo at any time, but the QUICKSINK JCTD aims to develop a low-cost method of achieving torpedo-like kills from the air at a much higher rate and over a much larger area,” said Kirk Herzog, AFRL program manager.
“The development of this technology is critical to maintaining U.S. technological superiority and addressing defined national security challenges,” said Gerry Tighe, OUSD(R&E) oversight executive for the JCTD. “This successful demonstration represents an important milestone.”
Duhhhhhhhhj...thank you captain obvious.
“I truly hate what the Left and democrats have done to our military, but to throw out the baby with the bath water seems a step too far.”
Our military is being conditioned and trained to be used against us, so it is all perfectly natural.
The good work is accomplished and battles are won by the grunts, staff NCOs and company grade officers. They are the shakers and movers and innovators in the military. Give them the means and they will win.
#4 Biden already sent over our tech for unguided bombs to become smart bombs to Ukraine. They in turn sell the weapons of all sorts to anyone including mexican drug cartels.
Finally! A way to keep ships out of the air.
You’re the one who said politicians were paying... if you knew they didn’t why say it?
I’ve known of you a long time and read many of your posts and replies.
I respect you, but I do not agree with your statement.
In this imperfect world, we must fight for the things we believe in, and against those we know are wrong.
There is a lot of resistance to what you say our military is being trained and conditioned for. There’s still a majority of good ole non-woke boys still in the ranks. Don’t give up just yet.
Google the word ‘pedantic’ and study it
“ What’s the over/under on when China will get the same weapon either by theft or bribery of assorted elected officials and corporate heads?”
I’m quite sure they have very effective anti ship technology already - and it’s unlikely they had to rely on Americans to get it.
“ the U.S. Navy was not at all enthusiastic about the idea of creating a separate United States Air Force back in the mid-1940s”
But, at the time, the Navy did not know about the golf courses.
Google the phrase rectal cranial inversion, and quit doing it.
I know you are but what am I?
Mr. K wrote:
I know you are but what am I?
I’m guess 12? maybe 15?
Airforce weapons research scientist: if only we could develop a bomb that could sink ships.
Airforce General: if the Navy wants to sink ships from the air, let them spend their money on R&D. Now get back to the real problem of how do we kill the A10 Warthog.
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