US Air Force Continues Testing Quicksink Bombs
Quicksink bomb dropped during recent tests
The US Air Force continues testing the advanced Quicksink guided air bomb. This product is based on one of the serial munitions and is intended to destroy various surface targets. The tests check the operation of new components and devices, interaction with the carrier aircraft and the overall effectiveness of such a weapons.
New test
A new test of the Quicksink product took place in early September. The carrier aircraft's combat training flight and the destruction of a training target took place on September 3. A few days later, the Air Force reported on the event, revealed some of its details, and published interesting photographs.
The bomb test was entrusted to the 53rd Air Wing, represented by the crew of one of the B-2A bombers and the technical staff. On September 3, the strategic bomber took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in the United States and headed towards the Norwegian Sea. On board was the Quicksink aerial bomb, made on the basis of the GBU-31/B JDAM product.
Over the designated water area, the American bomber was met by Norwegian F-35A fighters. Together, the aircraft went to the area where the training target was located. At the same time, they worked out issues of international cooperation in organizing sorties, including combat work on surface targets.
Test preparation
In the specified area, the B-2A dropped a guided bomb. It reportedly detected the target vessel, homed in on it and hit it directly. Unfortunately, the most interesting details, such as the type and characteristics of the target, the bomb's effect on it, etc., are not disclosed.
The new test of the Quicksink aerial bomb was called a success. It once again demonstrated the characteristics and capabilities of this munition and allows work to continue. In the future, the current project will end with the adoption of the bomb by the Air Force.
In addition, the B-2A bomber has once again confirmed its potential during recent tests. It has demonstrated the ability to covertly reach remote weapon deployment areas and has demonstrated flexibility in the choice of ammunition. It is also noted that the aircraft is now capable of effectively fighting enemy ships.
Series of tests
It is worth recalling that the Quicksink project started no later than 2020-21. It was carried out by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) with the involvement of a number of commercial contractors. The goal of the project was to find new ways to combat surface targets. It was planned to find or create ammunition capable of solving such problems with minimal costs. In essence, it was a search for an alternative to full-fledged anti-ship missiles. rockets, effective, but expensive.
In mid-2021, AFRL produced prototypes of a new type of aerial bomb. According to known data, they were built on the basis of serial GBU-31/B JDAM products. These bombs were supplemented with new devices that provided search for moving targets and guidance to them.
The warhead of the bomb with the guidance unit
The first test drops took place in August 2021. F-15E fighter-bombers from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Airlift Wing, were used as test carriers for the Quicksink bombs. Successful engagement of all intended targets was reported. It should be noted that the bombs used in these tests were significantly different from those currently in use.
In July 2024, the new type of bombs were used for the first time in a Navy exercise. As part of the RIMPAC maneuvers, the Quicksink product was used by a B-2A bomber. The target for the strike was a decommissioned universal landing ship with a displacement of about 40 thousand tons. Several bombs sent the ship to the bottom. At the same time, the compatibility of the anti-ship bomb with long-range bombers was demonstrated, as well as its ability to hit and destroy large targets.
In early June 2025, the B-2A bomber once again became an experimental carrier of Quicksink products. This time, smaller-caliber bombs based on the GBU-38 JDAM product were used. Despite different characteristics, such munitions also managed to destroy their intended targets.
Technical appearance
The Quicksink project involves upgrading and modifying the existing JDAM series of bombs to provide new combat capabilities. A new set of additional means has been developed that provide independent search for a stationary or moving surface target, as well as guidance to it.
As the published photos show, the Quicksink kit includes three main modules. The first is the homing head unit. It is made in a conical body with a spherical warhead and is mounted on the nose cone of the bomb. There is also a conical tail unit with rudders. On the central part of the bomb, between the two units, a cylindrical unit with aerodynamic ridges and cable gargrots is installed.
Tail module with rudders
Three modules are installed on the existing warhead of the unguided aerial bomb, after which it becomes an anti-ship munition. Judging by the markings, the Quicksink modules are not compatible with the components of the JDAM kit.
AFRL has not yet disclosed the exact composition and operating principles of the new kit. The appearance of the Quicksink head unit indicates the use of an infrared homing head. Such a device is capable of confidently detecting and tracking a ship-type target from a distance of at least several kilometers. In addition, satellite or inertial navigation should be preserved to reach the target area before turning on the infrared homing head.
There are two versions of Quicksink known to exist, differing in the size of the units. The first is designed for 2000-pound (914 kg) bombs, while the second can produce 500-pound (227 kg) ammunition. Obviously, the kit is scalable, and this will result in new versions for bombs of different dimensions and weights.
The combat qualities of the Quicksink bomb depend on the warhead used. In both known cases, we are talking about high-explosive fragmentation products. Accelerating in flight and fall, they are capable of penetrating the metal structures of ships, as well as causing serious damage with an explosion.
The tests demonstrated the compatibility of the new series of bombs with tactical and long-range aviation US Air Force. The heavier version of the munition can be carried by both F-15E fighters and B-2A bombers. This fact demonstrates the greater flexibility of the new weapon and the corresponding combat advantages.
A prototype Quicksink product undergoing testing in 2021. The bomb lacks a warhead with a seeker.
Economy and efficiency
The US Air Force has a number of specialized anti-ship missiles in service. They have high tactical and technical characteristics and show high potential when used against typical targets. At the same time, such weapons are expensive. For example, the modern AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missile costs about $3,25 million.
A cheaper, but also effective alternative to full-fledged anti-ship missiles are guided bombs, including gliding ones. Such products, depending on the model, cost no more than hundreds of thousands of dollars per piece. However, existing aerial bombs do not fully meet the tasks of combating surface targets.
For example, the JDAM series of munitions are guided by pre-entered target coordinates. Because of this, they cannot work against moving objects, such as ships. Existing semi-active laser-guided bombs such as the GBU-24/B Paveway are also not suitable for anti-ship use.
The optimal solution to this situation was considered to be the creation of a new guided munition. The Quicksink project managed to preserve the simplicity and low cost of the aerial bomb, and also add full homing to it, making it possible to work on moving targets. In addition, the use of ready-made warheads became an important advantage.
The performance and power of two such munitions have already been demonstrated in tests. The Quicksink 500 and 2000 pound bombs have been used by tactical and long-range aircraft and have successfully destroyed training targets. This demonstrates the overall success of the project and the results achieved. It can now be expected that the promising bombs will again appear in tests and exercises and will enter service in the foreseeable future.
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