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.