NSWC PCD accelerates Naval mine warfare capabilities with new Quickstrike Extended Range Program, working group

NSWC PCD accelerates Naval mine warfare capabilities with new Quickstrike Extended Range Program, working group

By Jeremy Roman, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division

Imagine a hidden threat lurking beneath the waves: ultra-stealthy submarines, armed with advanced mines, operating in shallow, coastal waters previously considered safe. These mines can be deployed in critical international shipping lanes and strategic choke points to create dangerous situations where millions of dollars in resources don't make it to their destinations and international economies could face potential shutdowns. How would the nation deter this type of aggression?

To help the U.S. Navy defend American interests around the globe and keep the seas open and free, the fleet is actively working to counter these types of threats through the Quickstrike Extended Range (QS-ER) Program, an initiative designed to rapidly develop and deploy advanced aerial mining capabilities. This program, which aims to increase mine countermeasures precision, range and versatility, is a direct response to what the military calls a Joint Emergent Operational Need - an urgent requirement identified by a combatant commander to prevent loss of life and ensure the success of critical operations.

Spearheading this effort is the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), which recently hosted a groundbreaking Underwater Mine Personnel Qualification Standard Working Group. This event, held in July 2025, brought together a dynamic team of experts, including engineers, logisticians, and fleet personnel from NSWC PCD, the Mobile Mine Assembly Group (COMOMAG), the Navy's Strike Planning and Execution Program, the Boeing Company and other key stakeholders.

"For NSWC Panama City Division, collaborating with multiple stakeholders is not just important but essential to delivering the best possible product to the fleet," said Tori Aanderud, QS-ER Integrated Logistics Support manager. "Working closely with each stakeholder has improved our delivery capabilities by ensuring smooth coordination across a range of expertise, which has helped streamline the development of both documentation and products for the fleet. This collaboration has also built strong working relationships among stakeholders, enabling Panama City Division to deliver products that are both effective and efficient."

The working group's goal was to develop the standards and procedures that sailors, specifically those within the mineman career field, who will employ the MK 64 MOD 5 Underwater Mine - the centerpiece of the QS-ER program - which comes in both live and training variants.

"[Our program] is a direct response to the urgent need for an advanced aerial mining capability," said Jomo Martin, QS-ER program manager. "[This] event was a success because it allowed sailors and COMOMAG to actively participate in developing the tasks they will need to safely assemble and perform maintenance on the MK 64 MOD 5."

A key element of the event was providing sailors with hands-on experience with this underwater mine. For some, it was their first time seeing it in person, and participants actively engaged in assembly and disassembly procedures, providing valuable feedback that led to improvements in the assembly process. This approach ensures that sailors are well-prepared to work with and sustain the new system effectively.

The QS-ER Program represents a significant advancement in aerial mining capabilities. It is crucial for maintaining freedom of navigation in vital shipping lanes, and by rapidly deploying advanced mines, this platform can deter adversaries, protect friendly forces, and ensure the safe passage of commercial and military vessels.

This initiative not only helps the Naval Sea Systems Command generate readiness by paving the way to more efficiently integrate the advanced QS-ER into the U.S. Navy's arsenal, but it also accelerates force generation through partnership with industry to develop solutions to warfighting needs.

"Delivering for the warfighter through these collaborative accomplishments is both rewarding and mission-critical. Every successful delivery represents the result of planning, coordination, and execution across multiple stakeholders," said Aanderud. "Knowing that our efforts directly support the readiness and effectiveness of the fleet brings a deep sense of purpose in the work we accomplish at NSWC PCD."

She also added that this working group is one of many that will take place in preparation for training the U.S. fleet on QS-ER and it has brought together several moving parts to ensure all stakeholders are aligned and focused on capturing what the fleet truly needs.

The QS-ER Program represents a significant step forward in the evolution of naval warfare and NSWC PCD is at the forefront by enhancing the U.S. Navy's ability to counter emerging threats and maintain maritime superiority through precision, range and integration potential. Following successful Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 testing, this program will focus on critical FY26 milestones: flight certification and final performance verification flight tests, technical manual validation, and initial sailor training. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to practical training, the Navy is ensuring that its sailors are equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to protect vital sea lanes and safeguard national interests.