How QuickSink and the B-2 are redefining maritime warfare

Global Watch | 2025-09-01

The US Air Force continues to successfully tested a new lightweight variant of its QuickSink maritime strike weapon, delivered by the stealthy B-2 bomber.

This development not only showcases the cutting-edge capabilities of the US military but also signals a significant leap forward in countering modern maritime threats. For military enthusiasts, defense analysts, and NATO, the development of QuickSink is a testament to the power of advanced weaponry and interoperability in shaping the future of warfare.

QuickSink, short for Quick Reaction Kinetic Defeat of Ships, is a precision-guided munition designed to neutralize surface vessels with surgical accuracy. By modifying the widely used GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) with advanced guidance software and maritime-targeting algorithms, QuickSink transforms conventional bombs into highly effective anti-ship weapons.

The latest test at the Eglin Air Force Base Gulf Test Range featured a 500-pound variant of QuickSink, a lighter and more agile version of the previously tested 2,000-pound model. This smaller munition retains the same devastating precision while offering greater flexibility and scalability.

The Weapon Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) seeker, the technological heart of QuickSink, enables the bomb to identify, track and strike moving maritime targets with pinpoint accuracy. By targeting a ship's most vulnerable points --below the waterline -- QuickSink ensures catastrophic damage, breaking the ship's keel and sending it to the ocean floor.

The physics behind QuickSink's effectiveness is as fascinating as its military application. The weapon's ability to detonate below the waterline creates a massive shockwave, lifting the ship before breaking its structural integrity. This precise targeting ensures that even heavily armed and mobile vessels can be neutralized swiftly and efficiently.

The role of the B-2

The B-2 Spirit, the world's only operational long-range stealth bomber, is the ideal platform for deploying QuickSink. Designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses, the B-2 combines stealth, advanced avionics and intercontinental range to deliver precision strikes in contested environments. Its ability to carry both nuclear and conventional payloads makes it a cornerstone of US global strike capability.

By integrating QuickSink with the B-2, the United States has expanded its maritime reach and threat response spectrum. The stealth bomber's low observability ensures survivability in high-stakes operations, while its payload capacity allows for multiple QuickSink munitions to be deployed in a single mission. This combination of stealth and precision is a formidable deterrent to adversaries, particularly in maritime domains where freedom of movement is critical.

Interoperability with NATO allies

The modular design of QuickSink extends its compatibility beyond the B-2, making it adaptable to other platforms such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-35 Lightning II and potentially unmanned aerial vehicles. This versatility aligns with the Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) framework, which emphasizes multi-platform and multi-service integration.

For NATO allies like the United Kingdom and Norway, the interoperability of QuickSink offers significant strategic advantages. The ability to integrate this advanced weapon into allied airframes enhances collective defense capabilities and strengthens the alliance's deterrence posture. Joint exercises and shared technology development ensure that NATO remains at the forefront of military innovation, capable of countering emerging threats in both open ocean and littoral environments.

A warning to adversaries

For nations like China and Russia, the QuickSink program represents a formidable challenge to their maritime ambitions. China's growing fleet, including its aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, could face significant threats from QuickSink-equipped US and NATO aircraft. Similarly, Russia's naval assets, already constrained by aging platforms and limited resources, would struggle to counter the precision and scalability of this new weapon that provides a fast, precise and cost-effective method to deny adversaries freedom of movement.

QuickSink is more than just a weapon -- it is a paradigm shift in how maritime threats are addressed. By leveraging existing munitions infrastructure and adapting standard bombs for new roles demonstrates the power of innovation in modern warfare. The ability to deliver torpedo-like lethality from the air, at a fraction of the cost, is a game-changer for maritime strategy.

For military enthusiasts, the science and engineering behind QuickSink are a marvel. For defense analysts, its strategic implications are profound. And for adversaries, it is a stark reminder of the technological edge that the United States and its allies continue to maintain.

For those who might face it, it is a clear signal that the balance of power remains firmly in favor of those who innovate.