The United States successfully sank the decommissioned USS Tarawa, a 39,000-ton amphibious assault ship, during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise using a low-cost guided bomb dropped from a B-2 stealth bomber. This test, part of the Quicksink initiative, showcases the US military's ability to neutralize maritime threats efficiently and could alter strategic calculations in potential conflicts with China, especially regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea. While the US Navy did not explicitly target China, analysts suggest the exercise serves as a demonstration of US capabilities amidst growing Chinese naval power. The Global Times criticized the exercise as a display of US military might and questioned the effectiveness of using an outdated ship as a target. The success of this operation underlines the potential of combining advanced stealth technology with cost-effective weaponry to enhance naval deterrence. As both nations navigate their maritime strategies, the implications of this exercise are likely to resonate in future military engagements in the region.