The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has released a video demonstrating the principles of the system. According to the video, the aircraft will release its all-weather seeker-equipped munition towards the target. The QUICKSINK will glide towards the target and calculate its own velocity to perform better. It will attack the target by exploding beneath the vessel, just like torpedoes to increase the level of damage.
The Air Force has shared a photo showing four GBU-21/B Joint Direct Attack Munition bombs loaded on F15-E Strike Eagle fighter. The bombs are visible, but their seekers are covered with photoshop. As the munition can function under all weather conditions, it is assumed that the kit uses a radar seeker.
The INS and GPS probably guide the ammunition towards
the area where the target is located, and radar becomes active at the very last
minute to delay the counter-alarm. The seeker replaces the laser illuminating system
to provide precision while transforming the ammunition “drop and forget”.
The new kit adds a unique capacity to Air Force
because the bomb sinks the enemy using the technic of a torpedo, but it does
not require aircraft to lower its altitude. Torpedos are mostly dropped from
lower altitudes to provide the exact diving location and angle of the torpedo to
increase the mission’s success but make aircraft an easier target. The plane, however,
may release QUICKSINK from high altitudes and even further distances.
Combining INS, GPS and radar seeker into JDAM transforms general-purpose bombs into precision-guided munition at low cost. JDAM-like munition splashes in the water close to the targe; it becomes effective like torpedoes.
