U.S. Air Force Conducts Latest QUICKSINK Exercise

The U.S. Air Force has conducted its latest QUICKSINK exercise, successfully demonstrating a low-cost, air-delivered method for neutralizing surface vessels.

Quicksink is designed to rapidly counter maritime threats across large ocean areas globally. The latest exercise, involving the sinking of the MV Monarch Countess, took place in the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

“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,” stated Col. Matthew Caspers, Director of the Munitions Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

The AFRL’s Munitions Directorate and the U.S. Navy are collaborating on a Maritime Weapon Program at Eglin Air Force Base to enhance anti-ship lethality with air-launched weapons.

A similar QUICKSINK exercise took place in 2022 at Elgin’s 120,000 square mile Gulf Test and Training Range. A video of that exercise is below:

In July, a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, demonstrated the QUICKSINK capability during the second RIMPAC SINKEX

AFRL focuses on developing technologies to address current science and technology challenges while investing in research to maintain superiority and achieve future conflict victories.

“The men and women of the Munitions Directorate consistently find ways to solve our nation’s greatest challenges,” Caspers said. “QUICKSINK is an answer to an urgent need to neutralize maritime threats to freedom around the world. This program is unique in that it can provide capabilities to modify existing and future DoD weapons systems, offering new ways for combatant commanders and national leaders to defend against maritime threats.”

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