US Air Force Live Tests 'Rapid Dragon' Program Which Turns Cargo Planes Into Aerial Bomb Trucks

The US Air Force successfully test-fired a cruise missile from a cargo aircraft on December 16. An MC-130J Commando II transport aircraft successfully released a live cruise missile using the prototype system. The cargo aircraft destroyed a target in the Gulf of Mexico, marking the first live-fire test of the US’ Rapid Dragon program. The US Air Force aims to transform the cargo jets into strike aircraft without the need for expensive and lengthy modifications.
#RapidDragonProgram #USAirForce #JoeBiden

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[ycplum]

The US needs longer range missiles to go along with this system. Cargo planes need to be kept as far as possible due to their vulnerability.

[goodgoskee]

Love the Chinese moniker and the not so subtle hint these inexpensive new flying missile hives are made to essentially overwhelm China's missile batteries.

[mrp]

Interesting timing. One can easily imagine dozens and dozens of these being deployed rapid fashion at a Chinese Navy invasion fleet transitioning from mainland China toward Taiwan.

[ederamin]

for those who don't understand it: its basically bombs that have wings that give them more control and they are dropped from high altitudes in cargo planes

[frankthetank]

This will reduce stationary/general area launch system overall numbers by using the (don’t make us do it) threat instead of the constant movement needed by land based launch… but idk seems like a good way to stretch too thin and make a lot of promises to keep bombers airborne in a general location (we’re good at keeping promises)

[evandegeer]

Damn bro, didn’t know there were so many military experts in the comments. I must truly be blessed to have all these expert opinions in one place

[theobserver]

This is like ''Fire & Forget". It increases the versatility of transport aircrafts.

[Kaxcer]

Smartest thing US military did in long time

[Posttrip]

This is a good idea. But, I still like the 747 cruise missile launcher. Though, this would be cheaper and faster to operational status, there are a lot of 747’s parked and available.

[egoruderico]

Wouldn’t this make cargo planes combat targets since the enemy wouldn’t have a way to know of it has missile, supplies, soldiers or civilians. Seems like it would put unnecessary crosshairs on a plane not designed for combat.

[clintonbarbee]

The weapon they deployed is special the cargo plane has been used as a bomber before.

[jiaweichew]

This would be very useful as a saturation weapon system but the missiles need to contain a huge warhead capability that can be used to crater airfields, destroy shipyards, punch through mountain airfields and sink ships to be more multi role and capable.
The range needs to be at least 1500KM or above

[commondognut]

Turning cargo planes into bombers? What a unique and original idea

[johntowe]

Rapid Dragon, what a convenient name 😉

[aurodeeproy]

this system loaded with brahmos can be embedded into p8i and can effectively be used in the sea. The only thing that worries me is whether the integration of semi-russian weapon with us platform will give optimized results or not.

[treatb]

Ok thats some scary shit... the ability arm and guide that many cruise missiles would devastate. We develop quantum computers and all so we can create weapons to erase ourselves in a moment.

[cressida]

Well done USA, this is a very good idea. Like how easy it is to deploy, no need for major refit of aircraft. Russia has the same theory with with MIG 31 and Bear used as bomb trucks. However this looks more efficient. I suspect the F15 Eagle missile truck will also trump the Russian model.

[TheWinezen]

That just puts cargo pilots at risk as enemy combatants will shoot those out of the sky even if they were humanitarian aid.

[SamFromVACE]

Possible to drop hundreds of GPS guided 155mm shells from high attitude at one load?

[Stgpop]

This has been designed more than a few times over the last 70 years