The 30,000-pound guided bomb is designed to penetrate an estimated 200 feet through rock or other hard substances before destroying enemy labs or bunkers.
The successful test of the maritime JDAM represents a significant step forward in the Air Force's ability to sink a ship, at a time when concerns are growing about the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
It's a major step forward for the small diameter bomb, which at one point was delayed for about a year while a flawed component was redesigned and fixed.
The Air Force is preparing for a new era in maritime operations, taking on a larger role in surface warfare as the U.S. casts a wary eye at China and Russia.
