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Ouch! Watch the U.S. Navy Break a Ship in Half With Torpedoes

During the recent Large Scale Exercise 21 (LSE 21), the U.S. joint forces conducted coordinated multi-domain, multi-platform, long-range maritime strikes on a retired frigate off the coast of Hawaii. A video released by the U.S. Navy shows the ship getting obliterated by a Mk 48 torpedo fired from a fast-attack submarine.
U.S. Navy destroys ship during LSE 21 7 photos
Photo: U.S. Navy via Youtube
Ex-USS Ingraham retired friagateA NMESIS launcher vehicle ready to fireA Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher, a command and control vehicle and a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle are transported by a U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air CushionA Naval Strike Missile ready to strike a naval target shipA NMESIS launcher vehicle deploys into positionA Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher, a command and control vehicle and a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle are transported by a U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion
With operations spanning 17 time zones, LSE 21 was a live, virtual, and constructive scenario-driven, globally integrated exercise. It gave the U.S. joint forces the opportunity to test and evaluate developmental warfighting concepts that will shape how the future Navy and Marine Corps compete, respond to crises, battle, and win on the battlefield.

During the exercise, forward-deployed forces on advanced expeditionary bases identified and responded to a ship-based enemy by using combined command and control coordination with other U.S. forces. In this case, the adversary was a retired vessel dubbed Ex-USS Ingraham. The Ex-Ingraham was a guided missile frigate that was decommissioned in 2015.

The clip starts by showcasing the weapon systems deployed. Then we’re shown simultaneous impacts from numerous platforms across the U.S. services engaging the threat. The U.S. Marine Corps fired Naval Strike Missiles from the Pacific Missile, together with AGM-84 Harpoons from F/A-18C Hornets, while F-35C Fighters used laser-guided weapons.

But what gave the decommissioned ship the final blow was a fast-attack submarine, which launched an anti-ship Harpoon missile and a MK 48 Advanced Capability torpedo. You can see how the vessel snapped in half as if it was a simple toothpick.

LSE 21 offered a great opportunity to demonstrate new technologies that will enable the joint force to increase the speed and precision with which complex, simultaneous, multi-domain, multi-platform anti-surface warfare fires are delivered.

“The precise and coordinated strikes from the Navy and our Joint teammates resulted in the rapid destruction and sinking of the target ship and exemplify our ability to decisively apply force in the maritime battlespace,” said U.S. 3rd Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Steve Koehler.

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About the author: Florina Spînu
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Florina taught herself how to drive in a Daewoo Tico (a rebadged Suzuki Alto kei car) but her first "real car" was a VW Golf. When she’s not writing about cars, drones or aircraft, Florina likes to read anything related to space exploration and take pictures in the middle of nature.
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