SINKEX demonstrates USN’s ‘strategic overmatch’
US joint forces conducted coordinated maritime strikes during a sinking exercise on the decommissioned frigate USS Ingraham. (Photo: USN)
As part of Large Scale Exercise 21, on 15 August, US joint forces launched multiple missiles and torpedoes from air, land and sea at a decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate.
The USN’s Sinking Exercise (SINKEX), in the Hawaiian Islands operating area, saw F/A-18E/F Super Hornets test-fire the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, F-35Cs launch undisclosed laser-guided weapons and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft test the Harpoon weapon system.
Commenting on the SINKEX, US Pacific Fleet public affairs officer LT Corey T Jones told Shephard: ‘The point of the SINKEX was to demonstrate that the US Navy could work with other services collectively utilising a common operating picture to strike in unison -- from the land, air, sea surface, and beneath the sea – culminating in the successful
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes]()
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.
-
![Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push]()
Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push
Chief growth officer Sir Nick Hine tells Shephard how Babcock is lining up New Zealand, Chile, Denmark and the US for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, speaks on the hybrid navy offer and talks AUKUS.
-
![Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion]()
Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion
Denmark’s doubled deployment, Mediterranean smuggling routes and Norwegian composite hulls show where uncrewed surveillance demand is heading, while British funding remains unclear.
-
![Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift]()
Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift
The 50m, six-person ship from the Italian shipbuilder carries swappable, containerised payloads instead of a fixed mission, reflecting a shift that is becoming increasingly evident.
-
![Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties]()
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.
