Stealth bombers used QuickSink weapons to show long-range maritime strikes at Norway's sea.
US Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber attends the third demonstration QuickSink abilities, unleashed JDAMS (Joint Direct Attack Ammunition) to conduct a maritime strike on simulated targets at Norwegian seas. The mission was carried out on 3 September 2025, accompanied by bombers accompanied by four Royal Norwegian Air Forces (RNOAFs). F-35AS and P-8A Poseidon.
A week later, both services announced the mission September 9, 2025. In the High North, the plane was refueled by the KC-135 Stratotanker at the 100th Weather Refueling Wing (ARW) in Raf Mildenhall.
However, B-2 flights near Norway have been noted. In fact, on September 3, B-2 with the call sign “cult71” was heard communicating with Air Traffic Control on its way to Norway.
B-2 #cult71 From Whiteman AFB eastward above the Atlantic Ocean, sign in with Shanwick Radio HF 10021. pic.twitter.com/tvj2mugcjo
– eisnspotter🇮🇪 (@eisnspotter) September 3, 2025
Photos show that the preparations have been underway for several days, from the 509th Ammunition Squadron, the 393rd and 509th Bomber Generation Squadrons, the 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron assembled and held on August 26 and August 28 at the Whitman AFB, Missouri. In the photos on the weapon trailer, at least two GBU-31s and twelve GBU-38s were seen, ready to load on the B-2.
🇺🇸After preparing, inspecting and loading a 2,000-pound GBU-31 JDAMS (QuickSink variant) on August 28, 2025, on a B-2A Spirit Stealth bomber at Whitman Air Force Base, Missouri.
(📸/U.S. Air Force Photo by Sgt. Joshua Hastings) https://t.co/zccckjiko0q pic.twitter.com/RS2S2ZAFNN
– Guy Plopsky (@guyplopsky) September 9, 2025
The title says that the operation of weapons manufacturing is “a component of the AFRL rapid joint capability technology demonstration.” It is not clear how many weapons were used in the test.
this The first The quick demonstration of the B-2 was conducted in the 2024 edition of the RIMPAC (Pacific Edge) exercise with 2,000 lbs GBU-31/B JDAM. Then, in April 2025, AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory) conducted test The “new, more general variant” of the 500-pound GBU-38 JDAM based on the Gulf test range of the B-2 used by Eglin AFB, based on the 500-pound GBU-38 JDAM.
QuickSink and B-2
AFRL confirmation 2022 It developed a dedicated seeker to take on a quick role. Interestingly, the two GBU-31 JDAMs are in different colors – one with a pink body and the other with a pink body with yellow and black on the front and tail.
The reasons for different colors are unknown, but the pink color is displayed by the photo RNOAF Shortly after being released by B-2. Considering that these photos seem to show two different explosions, the two GBU-31s are probably the only GBU-31s that were discarded on the target.
The title says JDAMS is used for rapid joint capability technology demonstrations and is described as “a new low-cost, air-toggling capability that can defeat maritime threats.” The target is located in Norwegian sea waters in Nordland.
The A B-2 can carry up to 80,500 pounds of GBU-38 or 16,2,000 pounds of GBU-31 in a single way. In view of preparing GBU-31 and GBU-38, hybrid loads can also be used.
The B-2 used for testing was assigned to the 72nd TE of the 53rd Wing of the AFB of Eglin, Florida. Wing 53 Press release “The development of a size variant of the precision strike system under evaluation is also proposed, thus expanding the operational options of commanders in maritime-centric operations,” the test said.
The statement appears to refer to modifications to the JDAM KIT for GBU-31 and GBU-38 and the Seeker for QuickSink Mission. However, the only available photos show that GBU-31 is released without the photos using GBU-38.
practise
Wing 53 said it incorporated the American B-2 spirit into the “long-range strike scenario, showing the defeat of ground ships in a real-life environment, demonstrating seamless cooperation and interoperability.” LuftForsVaret confirmed the participation of its four F-35AS and a single P-8A and participated in “very successful” testing.
“To complete the mission, the capabilities of the Norwegian Navy and Andeja Space were also used,” the statement added.
Wing 53 describes the drill bit as a test of the next generation of precise maritime capabilities. The department also said that Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 and personnel, the test demonstrates “seasonable cooperation and interoperability of surface vessels in real-life environments.”
“This test is a clear example of how we can work with trusted allies to make new capabilities faster and smarter,” said Scott Gunn, commander of the 53rd Wing.
In addition to allowing the United States “critical infrastructure and airspace”, Norwegian participation has helped “advanced strategies, technologies and procedures” for “long-term sensor-to-shooter operations” such as the F-35A and The, P-8Aaccording to the U.S. Air Force.
Lightning II will provide armed escorts in the air electronic surveillance and strike kit, while the P-8A scans, locates, tracks sea targets and passes data to the B-2. This exercise that is consistent with the exercises mentioned in Wing 53 integrates communication and multi-domain goals beyond sight.
“We are building ready on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean [making] Maritime strikes are more distributed and can survive and integrate.
future
However, the overall strategic efficacy and practicality of using B-2 spirits on the strike ship leading the bomb remains problematic. First, the JDAM bomb is expected to be between 45 and 55 miles, with nowhere to provide a dedicated anti-fleet huge stalemate distance, such as the AGM-88 Harpoon or The AGM-158C LRASM.
The advantage is that the B-2 spirit's stealth allows it to approach the target with very low detection opportunities. JDAM's lack of active seekers and low infrared signatures will also allow surface-to-air radar and missile sensors to lock out with little trace.
Finally, naval forces like Russia or China will be armed with their own naval air force and are supported by a land-planned coastal defense stalemate to kill ships and missiles. On the other hand, the B-2 bomber will shine because of this tactical strike and will be more suitable for hitting larger strategic targets on the land with conventional and non-standard weapons.
Fast bombs may most effectively hit the smaller civilian ships that the PLA Navy is expected to sail into service, as seen Z-10 Attack Helicopter Last October, it was run from a semi-familiar merchant ship. These unleash larger Allied warships, multi-aircraft, harp and LRASM that require targets of high-end capabilities.
Colonel Matthew Caspers, head of the AFRL Ammunition Bureau, has previously provided the doctrinal concept behind the B-2 Spirit, which adopts a new weapon: “QuickSink is the result of a joint collaboration that quickly constitutes an affordable concept to keep ground targets at risk.”
