Helicopters Just Took Center Stage In Rim Of The Pacific Sinking Exercises
Summary
During the 2026 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, helicopters from multiple allied nations played a prominent role in sinking exercises (SINKEX), with at least four different rotorcraft types deploying anti-ship weapons against decommissioned U.S. Navy vessels. U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters fired Spike NLOS missiles at the former cruiser USS Mobile Bay, while a Royal New Zealand Navy SH-2G(I) Seasprite struck the former amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu with an AGM-119 Penguin missile that penetrated the hull and caused significant internal damage. A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk launched an AGM-114N Hellfire missile against a target vessel, and an Italian Navy SH-101 helicopter deployed a Marte anti-ship missile, collectively demonstrating the growing diversity of helicopter-based maritime strike capabilities across coalition forces. The Apache's participation is particularly significant as it reflects the U.S. Army's expanding maritime mission under its Multi-Domain Operations concept, with Spike NLOS providing a standoff range of approximately 20 miles — roughly double that of traditional Hellfire and JAGM weapons. These engagements collectively signal a broader shift in how militaries are integrating helicopters as key contributors to distributed maritime strike operations alongside conventional naval and aerial assets.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Four different allied helicopter types successfully employed precision anti-ship weapons during RIMPAC 2026 SINKEX drills, highlighting the growing multinational helicopter maritime strike capability
- 2. The U.S. Army's use of Spike NLOS missiles on AH-64 Apaches against a full-sized cruiser marks a significant milestone, extending attack helicopter reach to approximately 20 miles for maritime targets
- 3. The Royal New Zealand Navy's AGM-119 Penguin missile demonstrated exceptional effectiveness, penetrating the hull of the decommissioned USS Peleliu before detonating internally and causing major structural damage
- 4. Helicopters are increasingly being integrated into distributed maritime strike strategies, complementing submarines, warships, fighters, and land-based missile batteries in coalition anti-surface warfare operations
- 5. The U.S. Army's growing maritime role aligns with its Multi-Domain Operations concept, with further expansion seen in the U.S. Marine Corps experimenting with arming AH-1Z Vipers with small cruise missiles for extended-range ship engagements