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U.S. B-2 Bomber Conducts Anti-Ship Weapon Test Near Russia's Arctic Waters
11 Sep
Summary
- U.S. B-2 stealth bomber tests anti-ship weapon in Norway near Russia's Arctic
- Demonstration of precision maritime strike capabilities amid growing threats
- Test involved modified precision-guided bombs known as QUICKSINK
On September 3, 2025, a United States B-2 stealth bomber conducted an anti-ship weapon test in the Norwegian Sea off Andøya Island, located approximately 366 miles west of the Norway-Russia land border. The test, which took place near Russia's Arctic waters, demonstrated the bomber's precision maritime strike capabilities.
The U.S. Air Force has been enhancing its ship-sinking abilities in response to growing maritime threats from adversaries, including China's expansive naval forces and Russia's presence in the Arctic region. The test involved the use of modified precision-guided bombs known as QUICKSINK, which are designed to quickly neutralize menacing maritime targets.
During the test, the B-2 bomber dropped both the 500-pound GBU-38 and the 2,000-pound GBU-31 variants of the QUICKSINK weapons, which are part of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) family. The test was supported by the Norwegian military, which deployed four F-35 stealth fighter jets and a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to observe the proceedings.
The successful test marks at least the third time the QUICKSINK weapon has been evaluated with the B-2 bomber, further reinforcing the aircraft's enduring advantages, including its stealth, range, and payload flexibility, as well as its evolving role in maritime strike operations.
