Summary B-2 Spirit bombers can sink ships using QUICKSINK bomb in low-cost manner to neutralize maritime threats. Development of this technology by Air Force provides technological superiority for defending US interests and maintaining freedom of action. B-2 Spirit remains the Air Force's premier strategic bomber until B-21 Raider, engaging in the new arms race in the Western Pacific.
It seems that B-2 Spirit bombers have the capability to sink surface ships. In July, an Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber released a guided bomb and sank an empty cargo vessel in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. The Air Force stated that this provides a low-cost, air-delivered method for defeating surface vessels.
The Air Force only has 19 extremely expensive and valuable B-2s in service, and they provide the service with unique capabilities to carry out deep penetration strikes. B-2 Spirit sinks cargo ship with new missile In a statement released on August 8, the Air Force stated , " This capability is an answer to an urgent need to quickly neutralize maritime threats over massive expanses of ocean around the world. " The QUICKSINK bomb is a Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) that uses an existing guidance kit integrated with a new seeker and enables the Air Force to develop the new capability rapidly with minimal costs.
Meanwhile, Col. Matthew Caspers (the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate director) said, “ 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. ” Defense News notes, " AFRL did not specify which weapon was used in July’s test to sink the cargo vessel, called the Monarch Countess.
A previous test in 2022 used a modified GPS-guided GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAM, to strike a target vessel ." The test took place near Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Eglin is a major air base and is home to the 96th Test Wing (B-2 Spirits are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri).
When it enters service, the B-21 will replace the USAF's B-2 Spirit bombers. A new chapter for the B-2 Spirits As a new area of Great Power competition heats up, the US Air Force finds itself in a new arms race in the Western Pacific. The missile is possibly being developed so that the Air Force can engage masses of cargo and transport vessels in the event of any invasion of Taiwan.
In such an engagement, the Air Force would likely need to fire many munitions at many military and non-military ships (non-military ships pressed into service). Some wargames have shown that a potential issue for some US assets (like submarines) is simply not carrying enough missiles (requiring them to depart the conflict zone to rearm). The Navy has recently announced it will deploy its latest F-35Cs to the region , while the Air Force is bolstering its presence in Japan with more F-35As.
Until the B-21 Raider comes into operational service later in the decade, the B-2 Spirit remains the Air Force's premier strategic bomber and the world's only operational stealth strategic bomber. Only 21 were ever built and two of these have now been lost to accidents. The remaining 19 are now scheduled to be overhauled.
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