The video demonstrates a concept known as Rapid Dragon. Cruise missiles were dropped from C-17 and EC-130 aircraft: it is assumed that this will increase the strike power of the United States.
The US Air Force and Lockheed Martin provided additional information about the recent demonstration of air-based missiles on pallets.
The tests were conducted in the summer over the White Sands missile range in New Mexico. According to representatives of Lockheed Martin, the tests covered all the main aspects of the operation, including the dumping of JASSM-ER cruise missiles, which proved the feasibility of the idea. The carriers were the C-17 and EC-130 aircraft.
Rapid Dragon / ©The War Zone
The project is developing rapidly: a little less than a year ago, it existed only as a concept.
The main idea is to increase the striking power by attracting additional winged vehicles. Initially, the B-1 Lancer strategic bomber was chosen for the use of JASSM-ER missiles, but the Americans do not have so many of them, and recently the United States has begun to write off some of these aircraft.
Rapid Dragon / ©LOCKHEED MARTIN
In the future, the B-1 will completely replace the new-generation B-21 stealth bomber.
