Quicksink
The US Quicksink is a JDAM-based anti-ship weapon: a GBU-31 or GBU-38 fitted with a seeker and a detonation algorithm tuned to break a ship's keel. Key figures: weight 230 kg, guidance GPS/INS. In service with 1 country — United States.
| Warhead | Mk82 or Mk84 |
| Guidance | GPS/INS |
| Diameter | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Length | 2,380 mm (93.7 in) |
| Weight | 230 kg (507 lb) |
Description
Quicksink is an anti-ship application of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM): a GBU-31 (2,000 lb) or GBU-38 (500 lb) JDAM fitted with a seeker, with no designation of its own. The designation GBU-62 belongs to a different weapon, the Quickstrike-ER, a Mk 62 sea mine on a JDAM-ER wing kit. The program was initiated to provide an anti-ship capability using existing guided munition technology as an alternative to dedicated anti-ship missiles.
The system utilizes GPS/INS guidance. It incorporates a modified fusing system and flight algorithms that enable detonation at or below the waterline. This mechanism generates a hydraulic hammer effect designed to break the keel of a surface vessel. The weapon utilizes Mk82 or Mk84 warheads.
The United States Air Force operates the system, which entered operational service approximately in 2023. Initial testing in 2022 resulted in the sinking of a full-size ship target. During the RIMPAC 2024 exercise, QUICKSINK munitions sank the USS Dubuque (LPD-8) and USS Tarawa (LHA-1). Further testing of a variant based on the GBU-38 occurred in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- OCT 32026 Updated Name and description aligned with the Quicksink program, an anti-ship JDAM fitted with a seeker rather than a designation of its own
- APR 32026 Updated GBU-62 QUICKSINK: length added; GBU-62 QUICKSINK: diameter added
- MAR 302026 Created Page created: GBU-62 QUICKSINK