Helicopters Just Took Center Stage In Rim Of The Pacific Sinking Exercises

Key Points:

• Helicopters played a significant role in the 2026 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) sinking exercise, with multiple allied rotorcraft—such as U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches, Royal New Zealand Navy SH-2G(I) Seasprites, Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawks, and Italian Navy SH-101s—successfully engaging retired U.S. Navy vessels using precision-guided anti-ship missiles.
• The U.S. Army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopters demonstrated an expanded maritime strike capability by firing Spike NLOS missiles at a former Ticonderoga-class cruiser, marking a milestone in the Army’s growing role in Indo-Pacific maritime operations and multi-domain sea-denial missions.
• Allied helicopters employed a variety of missile systems—including the Spike NLOS, AGM-114N Hellfire, AGM-119 Penguin, and Marte anti-ship missiles—highlighting the increasing diversity and importance of helicopter-based maritime strike in coalition anti-surface warfare.
• The RIMPAC 2026 SINKEX also involved other platforms such as U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets with LRASMs, U.S. Army HIMARS, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force coastal missile batteries, maritime patrol aircraft, and submarines, showcasing integrated multi-domain strike capabilities against full-sized naval targets.
• RIMPAC 2026, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, enhances interoperability among 30 nations and over 30,000 personnel, with this year’s events underscoring the evolving and indispensable role of helicopters in distributed maritime strike operations across the Indo-Pacific region.