The U.S. Navy intends to sink the retired cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG‑53), a Ticonderoga‑class vessel, during the RIMPAC 2026 exercise as part of a SINKEX (sinking exercise). The exercise began on June 24 and will run until July 31, though the exact date of the sinking has not yet been announced.
Ticonderoga‑class cruisers have been the backbone of U.S. Navy air‑and missile defense for over four decades, equipped with the Aegis combat system and Standard missiles. Sinking Mobile Bay will provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of anti‑ship missiles and weapons against a large warship and to gather valuable data on its structural resilience.