Inside the Pentagon’s Plan to Even the Odds with China

The US military is developing Quicksink, a low-cost, air-dropped anti-ship weapon meant to counter China’s naval advantage in the Indo-Pacific, according to The National Interest. It uses modified JDAM bombs and a modular seeker, allowing aircraft like the B-2 and F-15EX to sink ships from the air—similar to torpedoes but with less risk. A single B-2 Spirit can carry up to 80 500-pound Quicksinks, making it capable of destroying an entire fleet in one mission. The program’s flexibility and low cost could be key in deterring a Chinese assault on Taiwan. They write:

Quicksink munitions have proven successful, with several decommissioned ships sunk.

In a potential clash with the United States, the Chinese Navy could swiftly put more than 700 surface combatants, submarines, and support ships to sea. The US Navy can hardly meet half of that number, giving Beijing a decisive early advantage in the Indo-Pacific.

Accordingly, the US military is looking for low-cost ways to sink enemy ships. The Quicksink program could be the solution.  […]

Thus far, the US military has tested a 2,000-pound GBU-31/B Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and a 500-pound GBU-38 JDAM in Quicksink trials.  […]

Thus far, testing of Quicksink munitions has proven successful, with several decommissioned ships sunk. The Air Force and Navy continue to experiment with a wider range of munitions and platforms with the clear objective of creating a formidable anti-ship capability that would increase the overall deterrence against China.

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