Pictured is one of the JASSM-ER cruise missiles in the Deployment Box immediately after being airdropped from an EC-130SJ. Credit: USAF/AFRL.

The US Air Force’s (USAF) Rapid Dragon programme has conducted its first system-level flight tests to assess the operational utility of the palletised munition deployment system.

The tests mark two more demonstrations of the capability to mass deliver long-range strike weapons from military cargo aircraft. It was performed at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Rapid Dragon programme, which was previously designated the Palletized Munitions Program, is an experimentation campaign led by the Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) office.

According to the Air Force Research Laboratory, the latest tests also showcased the ability for a beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) Command and Control (C2) node to transfer Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) cruise missile targeting data to airborne Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Mobility Command (AMC) aircraft.

The SDPE office and partners Air Force Futures, AFSOC, AMC, US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Det 1, and the 412th Test Wing completed the first system-level flight tests on EC-130SJ and C-17A  airlift aircraft.

The aircraft’s battle management system received new targeting data and uploaded it to the JASSM-ER simulator.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In a previous test of an instrumented JASSM-ER Palletized Weapon System at White Sands Missile Range in March, the SDPE used the Mills Manufacturing G-11 Cargo Parachute Assembly to establish an undisclosed deployment altitude deployment record for the Rapid Dragon programme.

A live-fire test with a production JASSM-ER from a cargo aircraft is expected to take place later this year.