In response to the escalating maritime threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the 29-country “Rim of the Pacific Exercise” (RIMPAC) led by the United States is currently underway. In the recent “SINKEX” live-fire exercise, the US and its allies successfully utilized new missiles to sink two large target ships.
The US Navy deployed the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson for the exercise. At a length of 333 meters, it is the largest warship in this year’s RIMPAC, capable of carrying over 5,000 crew members and more than 60 aircraft, standing as one of the US military’s proudest and most powerful vessels.
The highly anticipated “SINKEX” exercises took place on July 11 and 19 near the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Participating forces included units from the US Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as forces from Australia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and South Korea.
This year’s exercise involved two retired large target ships. On July 11, the expeditionary dock landing ship USS Dubuque (LPD 8) was sunk, followed by the sinking of the 40,000-ton amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) on the 19th, which was decommissioned in 2009.
According to a press release from the US Navy’s Third Fleet on Monday, during the sinking of the USS Tarawa on July 19, US forces employed F/A-18F “Super Hornet” fighter jets to launch the “Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles” (LRASM). LRASM provides long-range, high survivability, and high lethality capabilities against highly defended surface targets at sea, representing cutting-edge anti-ship weaponry in the US military’s arsenal.
Collaborating with the Navy, the US Air Force B-2 stealth bomber conducted an innovative “QUICKSINK” demonstration. This low-cost airdrop method, funded by the US Department of Defense, aims to rapidly sink surface vessels to address global maritime threats.
In response to the rapid expansion of the Chinese navy fleet, the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the US Navy jointly developed the 2,000-pound “QUICKSINK” smart anti-ship bomb – an affordable, airdroppable sea-denial weapon designed to destroy surface vessels.
This marks the second time the US military has conducted a “QUICKSINK” demonstration in a “SINKEX” exercise following the 2022 RIMPAC.
The weapon is designed to neutralize surface maritime threats and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of joint forces, meeting the urgent need for rapidly eliminating maritime threats worldwide at minimal costs.
Though not a sophisticated weapon, the “QUICKSINK” bomb poses a survival threat to the CCP’s massive investments in low-tech, coercion-focused vessels.
On April 28, 2022, the US Air Force Research Laboratory and the Eglin Combined Test Team showcased this new low-cost airdrop capability, successfully destroying a large surface vessel in the Gulf of Mexico to combat maritime threats.
The released video showcased the power of the “QUICKSINK” bomb, where an old cargo ship was struck and quickly split in half, sinking in just 40 seconds.
The live-fire exercises allow participating forces to proficiently deploy tactics, aim, and engage in live-fire shooting at surface vessels, verifying the effectiveness of new weaponry while enhancing joint operational capabilities for maritime missions planning, communication, and execution.
US Navy Third Fleet Commander Vice Admiral John Wade expressed through a press release, “The ‘SINKEX’ exercise gives us the opportunity to enhance our skills, learn from each other, and gain practical experience. During the exercises, we employed advanced weapons, witnessed the professionalism of the team, and demonstrated our commitment to the safety and openness of the Indo-Pacific region.”
The USS Tarawa is a 250-meter-long amphibious assault ship, second in size only to aircraft carriers. This massive vessel served in the US military from 1976 until its decommissioning in 2009, primarily deployed in the Middle East, participating in the Iraq War and the War on Terror from the early 2000s.
The “Rim of the Pacific Exercise” (RIMPAC) is the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise hosted by the US Navy, which commenced on June 27 off the coast of Hawaii and will continue until August 1. RIMPAC, inaugurated in 1971, is held biennially, with this year marking the 29th iteration.
Twenty-nine countries have dispatched 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 ground forces, and over 150 aircraft, including F-35 “Lightning II,” P-8A Poseidon patrol planes, and V-22 Osprey transport aircraft.
However, China has been excluded once again. Amid heightened tensions between the US and China, this exercise aims to reaffirm cooperation with allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The US military explains that the exercise is intended to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The US Navy notes that as the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC offers a “unique training opportunity” vital for ensuring the safety of sea lanes and global maritime security.