USAF Hits Target With Missile Dropped From Cargo Plane

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 04:58 PM ET

Verified

A HC-130J Combat King takes off from the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force successfully demonstrated its Rapid Dragon program by dropping a live cruise missile from an MC-130J cargo plane, which then received new targeting data mid-flight before destroying its target.
This test showcases the feasibility of deploying palletized weapon systems from military cargo aircraft, a core objective of the Rapid Dragon initiative.
The program aims to expand air strike capabilities, offer greater operational flexibility, and significantly reduce the timeline for fielding new weapon systems compared to traditional acquisition methods.

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The U.S. Air Force successfully dropped a cruise missile armed with a live warhead out of a MC-130J over the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) announced.

The December 16 test at Eglin Air Force Base Overwater Test Range in Florida was a demonstration of the Air Force’s Rapid Dragon, a program seeking to employ palletized weapon systems from military cargo aircraft.