According to the Royal Canadian Navy, the retired US Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay was sunk by the Canadian submarine HMCS Corner Brook using a heavy-weight Mk 48 torpedo on July 12, 2026, during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise off the coast of Hawaii. The engagement marked the first time a Canadian submarine participated in a RIMPAC with a live weapon deployment since 2014, demonstrating the submarine’s full operational chain from target acquisition to strike.
RIMPAC 2026 Sinking Exercises and Multinational Coalition Tactics
The Rim of the Pacific 2026 exercise utilized decommissioned naval vessels as real-world targets to test modern weapons systems and gather structural data, according to exercise organizers. The USS Mobile Bay and the retired amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu were both sent to the bottom in deep waters, located over 80 kilometers off the northern coast of Kauai. The multinational coalition utilized a diverse array of munitions against the hulls, including HIMARS rockets, Type 12 anti-ship missiles, LRASM systems, Spike missiles, and heavy-weight torpedoes. US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters also participated by firing Spike NLOS missiles during the drills.
Operational History of the USS Mobile Bay
Commissioned in February 1987, the USS Mobile Bay served for over 36 years before its decommissioning in August 2023, according to US Navy records. The Ticonderoga-class cruiser participated in major combat operations including Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom, during which it launched Tomahawk cruise missiles. The vessel also took part in humanitarian relief efforts following the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines. Its final destruction formed part of a massive international exercise running from June 24 to July 31 involving 31 nations, 36 surface ships, five submarines, 15 land forces, over 200 aircraft, and numerous military personnel.
Did you know? The HMCS Corner Brook returned to full operational service in 2025 following an extensive period of inactivity, immediately proving its capability to execute complex target tracking and weapon deployment cycles during international coalition exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What weapon did the Canadian submarine use to sink the USS Mobile Bay?
The HMCS Corner Brook deployed a heavy-weight Mk 48 torpedo to deliver the final strike against the retired cruiser.
Where did the sinking exercises take place?
The operations occurred in deep waters, more than 80 kilometers off the northern coast of Kauai, Hawaii.
How long did the USS Mobile Bay serve in the US Navy?
The ship completed over 36 years of active service after being commissioned in February 1987 and decommissioned in August 2023.
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