B-52, 하와이에서 기뢰부설 훈련 실시

[위종민]

지난 3월에 B-52가 하와이 카우아이에서 40마일 떨어진 해안에서 2,000파운드급 JDAM 이너트탄을 이용한 퀵스트라이크-ER 기뢰부설 훈련을 실시했네요. QS-ER은 Mk.64 퀵스트라이크 기뢰 개념에 GBU-64v1 JDAM-ER을 합친 무기로 2,000파운드급 기뢰라고 합니다. 

일반적으로 기뢰는 무유도 투하되며, 한 번에 투하하지 못하고 항공기가 낮은 고도를 여러 차례 비행하며 부설해야 해 제공권이 확보되지 않은 수역에서 수행하기 어려운 작업이었지만 QS-ER을 통해 이 문제가 해결됐다고 하네요. 

작년 10월엔 B-1이 괌에서 기뢰부설 훈련을 실시했었죠. ( https://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/5q2/535 ) 

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/06/usaf-b-52-conducts-long-range-offensive-mine-warfare-test/

An inert Joint Direct Attack Munition QuickStrike Extended Range mine is attached to a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 49th Test and Eval‎uation Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., in early March, 2023. Managed by the U.S. Navy’s Mine Warfare program office (PMS 495), the QuickStrike Extended Range mine marries a MK 64 mine with a GBU-64V1 JDAM Extended Range variant resulting in a stand-off delivered mine.(U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

USAF B-52 Conducts Long Range Offensive Mine Warfare Test

Recently, the US Navy Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) teamed up with the United States Air Force (USAF) and Air Force Global Strike Command to validate the ability of B-52 to deploy Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) QuickStrike Extended Range sea mines off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii at the Pacific Missile Range Facility.

Naval News Staff  29 Jun 2023

USAF press release – By 1st Lt Lindsey Heflin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. —  A B-52H Stratofortress attached to the 49th Test and Eval‎uation Squadron validated the ability to deploy inert Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) QuickStrike Extended Range (QS-ER) mines from a standoff distance of more than 40 miles off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in early March, 2023.

The QS-ER mine marries the concept of a Mk64 underwater mine to that of the GBU-64v1 JDAM Extended Range variant. The resulting weapon is the 2,000-pound QS-ER mine.

Traditionally mines are employed as unguided gravity weapons, forcing the aircraft to fly at lower altitudes and releasing the mines at multiple intervals rather than single releases. This means the mission cannot be accomplished in a contested waterway without accepting a high level of risk. But the QS-ER program changes this concept completely.

“What’s unique about QS-ER is its range and precision,” said Lt. Col. Matt Spinelli, 49th TES commander. “We can now release in a Launch Acceptability Region at various speeds and altitudes and have the weapon land with incredible accuracy. This reduces the number of weapons needed to affect the mine field and makes the delivery platform more survivable.”

The QS-ER began as a Joint Emergent Operational Need (JEON) in 2015 in an effort to advance aerial mining capability. The 49th TES’ recent test marks the fourth Operational Demo (OD) since QS-ER’s inception. The QS-ER program is pursuing Flight Certification for a 12-store carriage from the B-52H to meet Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in FY24.

“The strategic environment demands we move faster and we in the 53rd Wing are taking that to heart, thinking and executing outside the normal while adhering to test rigor to bring new capability to the warfighter and combatant commanders as fast we can; we aren’t speeding, we are setting new speed limits,” said Spinelli.

The test event was led by a collaborative effort between the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), 53rd Wing, 307th Bomb Wing, and the 780th Test Squadron. This concept aligns with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s efforts in advancing maritime capabilities.

-End-

Naval News comments:

Similar offensive mine warfare tests were conducted from a USAF B-52H back in 2019:

TAGS B-52 Mine Warfare USAF

[엽군]

2,000lb짜리 JDAM-ER 이네요. ㄷㄷㄷ;

[사처포(곽명기)]

기뢰 사용은
-수동적으로 적의 아군 해안 접근 차단
-능동적으로 적 해안기지 봉쇄의 의미가 있겠죠.

미국이 노리는 바가 무언지 궁금하네요.
특히 대 중국 작전으로 ...

[위종민]

아마도 개전 초 대만해협에 대규모 기뢰원을 부설하는 게 목적일 듯 합니다. 아니면 더 공세적으로 중국 군항을 막아버릴 지도요.