A Navy submarine can launch and destroy a ship with a single torpedo at any time. However, launching that weapon gives away the location of the vessel. The QUICKSINK JCTD aims to develop a low-cost method of achieving torpedo-like seaworthy kills from the air.

Partnering with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the F-15E crews developed and demonstrated new tactics, techniques, and procedures for employing modified 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions on both moving and static maritime targets.

The goal of this test was to validate a new way to employ air-delivered munitions on ships that will change the maritime target lethality paradigm.

LGBs (Laser Guided Bombs) have long been used in maritime scenarios for moving targets. However, the seeker head of the LGB can be adversely affected by the elements, potentially reducing its effectiveness. These weapons use on-board seekers to track targets designated by laser, typically in the infrared spectrum, and adjust their glide path to strike the target accurately.

While some LGBs, have been upgraded to embed a backup GPS guidance. Target coordinates can be loaded into the aircraft before take-off, manually altered by the aircrew before weapon release, or automatically entered through target designation with onboard aircraft sensors. The JDAM system will provide a weapon circular error probable of 5 meters when GPS data is available. If GPS data is denied, the JDAM will achieve a 30-meter CEP.