US Air Force Conducts Test Launch of 'Rapid Dragon' Cruise Missile From Cargo Aircraft

The US Air Force demonstrated a cruise missile launch from a cargo plane using a palletized weapon system for the first time. The test is part of the Air Force Rapid Dragon Experimentation Program to achieve cost-effective mass delivery of long-range standoff weapons from non-traditional air platforms such as cargo planes.

During the December 16 test, a MC-130J flown by an Air Force Special Operations Command operational flight crew, received new targeting data while in flight which was then routed to the cruise missile flight test vehicle (FTV).