The U.S. Air Force performed another major military exercise on September 3rd, during which the strategic bomber B-2 Spirit deployed the anti-ship bomb QUICKSINK over the Norwegian Sea near the Andøya island.
The strategic significance of this location, often referred to as Russia’s “Arctic threshold,” underscores the geopolitical tensions in the region.
During the demonstration, the B-2 dropped a modified 2,000-pound GBU-31 bomb, specifically designed to strike both stationary and moving naval targets. This marked an important milestone in aerial anti-ship ordnance, as it demonstrated the ability to precisely engage maritime threats from the air. Norwegian military sources published photographs depicting a precise hit on a target ship, confirming the weapon’s effectiveness. A submarine periscope captured the images.
The ongoing military activities in the Arctic region were underscored by the fact that this testing event occurred in conjunction with a NATO naval group operation in the Barents Sea.
The increased vigilance and strategic competition between NATO and Russia in these northern waters were exemplified by the close surveillance of the allied ships by Russian military forces, as reported by Newsweek.
The QUICKSINK project from the U.S. Air Force is a cost-effective and efficient weapon designed to destroy hostile ships from the air. QUICKSINK, according to its developers, provides a more rapid response time and a wider coverage area than conventional torpedoes, thereby improving the capacity to promptly and effectively address maritime hazards.
This bomb’s introduction could be instrumental in preventing naval threats from Russia and China, two significant powers with expanding maritime ambitions. Its capacity to enhance anti-ship capabilities for the United States and its allies introduces a new dimension to power projection in contested maritime regions, particularly in the Arctic and Pacific theaters.
The successful testing of QUICKSINK is indicative of an attempt to improve deterrence and preserve regional stability in the face of escalating geopolitical tensions.
Russian Alternative
Russia has developed and deployed glide weapons that are equivalent to the U.S. QUICKSINK anti-ship bomb, although their design philosophies and operational contexts differ.
If the guidance and targeting are appropriately adjusted, they are capable of striking stationary or slow-moving maritime targets. Russia has conducted tests on maritime strike variants of glide bombs; however, they are less specialized than the U.S. QUICKSINK, which is specifically engineered for anti-ship missions.
The glide bombs of Russia are predominantly retrofitted Soviet-era free-fall bombs that are equipped with pop-out wings and satellite guidance systems. This configuration allows them to glide over long distances with improved accuracy. These munitions are cost-effective and can be launched from a variety of aircraft platforms, rendering them versatile weapons in Russia’s aerial arsenal.
Russian glide missiles that are noteworthy include:
UMPB-5: A glide weapon that is more powerful and recent, reflecting Russia’s endeavors to create a diverse array of low-cost, standoff guided munitions.
FAB-1500 and FAB-3000 are glide explosives that are heavy, with a weight of approximately 1,500 kg and 3,000 kg, respectively. These munitions possess substantial explosive power, which enables them to inflict substantial damage even in the event of a near miss. They are particularly effective against infrastructure and fortified positions.
The conflict in Ukraine has extensively employed these glide explosives, demonstrating their efficacy in both urban and battlefield settings. Their substantial payloads and remote deployment capabilities have presented significant obstacles to Ukrainian defenses.
In comparison to QUICKSINK
Although both the U.S. QUICKSINK and Russian glide weapons are designed to improve standoff strike capabilities, they differ in several respects:
Design Philosophy: QUICKSINK is a modified Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) that has been specifically designed for anti-ship operations. It utilizes existing precision-guided technology to provide cost-effective maritime strike options.
Operational Context: QUICKSINK is predominantly designed for naval warfare, with the objective of destroying surface vessels from the air. In contrast, Russian glide weapons have been employed in a wider variety of scenarios, such as urban areas and land-based targets.
Guidance Systems: QUICKSINK utilizes advanced GPS and inertial navigation systems specifically tailored for maritime targets. Although Russian glide weapons are equipped with satellite guidance, they frequently depend on outdated systems such as GLONASS and may be more vulnerable to electronic countermeasures.
In essence, the specific applications and technological underpinnings of glide bomb technologies have been developed by both nations to improve their aerial strike capabilities. These systems are a reflection of their respective strategic priorities and operational requirements.
The effectiveness of a glide bomb dropped by a Russian bomber against fast-moving or evasive naval targets is inferior to that of a dedicated weapon such as QUICKSINK or anti-ship missiles (e.g., Kh-35, P-800 Oniks).
Russia employs missiles rather than glide weapons to sink ships in contemporary naval warfare. Anti-ship weapons that are supplementary rather than principal are glide bombs.
Rest of the World
Glide bombs or standoff precision munitions, which are capable of targeting both land-based and maritime targets, have been developed by numerous other nations, including China. The KD-88 and LS-6 glide bombs, which can be launched from fighter aircraft and strike both stationary and moving naval targets at long ranges, have been advancing by China. China also extensively relies on dedicated anti-ship missiles (e.g., YJ-12, C-802) for maritime operations, despite the fact that these systems, like Russia’s glide bombs, provide a cost-effective standoff strike capability. Other nations, including India and Israel, have conducted experiments with aerial glide bombs or guided munitions, primarily for the purpose of precision land assaults. Certain variants are capable of limited maritime targeting. In general, glide bomb technology is used by numerous nations; however, their efficacy against agile naval targets is inconsistent. Dedicated anti-ship missiles continue to be the preferred weapon in contemporary naval warfare.