A US Air Force (USAF) Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bomber has successfully sunk a maritime target in the Norwegian Sea in cooperation with Norway.

The work involved a long-range flight from Whiteman AFB, Missouri to the Norwegian Sea, where the B-2 teamed with Lockheed Martin F-35As to successfully engage the target, according to the USAF’s Global Strike Command.

Quicksink Norway

While the USAF did not offer details, the activity appears to have involved a kill chain, with the F-35As and maybe other platforms providing targeting information to the B-2. The American bomber then delivered an unspecified number of the QUICKSINK munition, which is still in its prototype phase.

In an image, a B-2 is shown flying in formation with five Norwegian aircraft: four F-35As and a single Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

The exercise was supported by USAF Boeing KC-135 tankers, which provided fuel to both the F-35As and B-2s.

“In addition to Norwegian F-35s and personnel who participated in the strike, support from Norway enabled US forces to gain access to critical infrastructure and airspace, allowing the test to be conducted in a strategically relevant and operationally challenging environment,” says the USAF.

“The event advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures for long-range sensor-to-shooter operations. These included integrating beyond-line-of-sight communications and multi-domain targeting, both crucial capabilities in highly contested environments.”

The test is notable because it involved a B-2 networking with allies in the anti-shipping role. In the event of a conflict in Europe or the western Pacific, the ability of the B-2 to team with international partners should enhance the effectiveness of QUICKSINK against enemy ships.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has said that the goal of QUICKSINK is to replicate the ship-killing capability of the US Navy’s Mk48 torpedo in a cheaper and more-flexible air-delivered platform.

QUICKSINK Munition

The weapon sees a guidance kit mounted on two common US military bombs: the 907kg (2,000lb) Mk84 and the 226kg Mk82.

The USAF says that the Norwegian work “advanced the development” of both variants.

The test marks the first long-range deployment of the system, which has previously been tested closer to the USA.

During the 2024 Rim of the Pacific exercise a B-2 used a 907kg QUICKSINK weapon. Shortly after this, in August 2024, a B-2 used the same weapon variant to sink a retired roll-on/roll-off vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.

In June, the AFRL announced that a B-2 had successfully used a 226kg QUICKSINK to engage a target, also in the Gulf of Mexico.

The B-2 can carry up to 16 Mk84 907kg bombs or up to 80 Mk82 226kg bombs.





Source link

Posted in
Uncategorized
Related Posts
Limousine Comments are Closed

Plan the perfect NYC Memorial Day weekend

Pack only what you need and avoid overpacking to streamline the check-in and security screening…

News Comments are Closed

LA’s worst traffic areas and how to avoid them

Consider using alternative routes, such as Sepulveda Boulevard, which runs parallel to the 405 in…

Denmark, Germany and NATO among sales prospects for GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, Saab chief executive says

European interest in Saab’s GlobalEye surveillance aircraft is continuing to build, as the Swedish company…

Ukraine exploring purchase of Bell AH-1Z attack and UH-1Y utility helicopters

Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with rotorcraft manufacturer Bell exploring the purchase of…

Italy plans to restore lapsed maritime patrol capability with six-aircraft buy

Italy has outlined plans to acquire six new maritime patrol aircraft capable of performing anti-submarine…

Stockholm Arlanda takes advantage of ‘EoR’ concept to increase parallel approach efficiency

Stockholm Arlanda is claiming to be the first European airport to introduce a concept intended…

Norway presses ahead with defence helicopter acquisitions, as talks continue with UK on ASW assets

Norway continues to analyse the options for a future anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter to equip…

Airbus Helicopters open to H225 Super Puma’s return for oil and gas operations

Airbus Helicopters is seeing renewed interest in its H225 Super Puma for offshore operations, almost…

Baykar’s Kizilelma UCAV soars through Aselsan AESA radar integration and weapons testing

Baykar Technologies’ Kizilelma unmanned combat air vehicle has been flown for the first time with…

EASA foresees sufficient production capacity to meet EU’s 2030 sustainable fuel target

Sustainable aviation fuel in the European Union only accounted for 0.6% of the total uplift…

Regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord to advise Elysian on development of battery-powered E9X

Netherlands-based Elysian Aircraft is to collaborate with regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord on the development of…

Post a comment

Your email address will not be published.