U.S. military cargo aircraft are one step closer to delivering long-range strike weapons en masse, according to an announcement by the U.S. Air Force.
USAF Launches Missiles Dropped From Cargo Aircraft
Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. Air Force's "Rapid Dragon" program aims to transform mobility aircraft, such as C-17s and EC-130s, into strike platforms capable of delivering long-range weapons en masse.
- Recent demonstrations successfully involved these cargo aircraft test-dropping palletized surrogate Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM-ERs) over White Sands Missile Range.
- This innovative "roll-on, roll-off" system requires no aircraft modifications, augmenting the strike capacity of tactical fighters and bombers and allowing for in-flight missile retargeting.
- Future tests include a live-fire deployment of an actual JASSM-ER from an MC-130J by the end of the year, with a C-17 airdrop planned for Spring 2022.
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