Rapid Dragon has passed it's first live test.
It's a Lockeed Martin scheme where a C-130 can launch up to two pallets of 6 individually targeted cruise missiles (12 total) using it's regular airdrop capability. A C-17 can do up to two pallets of 9. The plane remains useful for it's normal cargo duties.
The pallets slide out the back of the plane, the parachutes open holding the pallet nose down so the missiles can drop out easily. They release, fire up their engine, and head for the targets.
The live test was done with 1 live cruise missile and 5 dummies. The live one released, fired up, cruised, and destroyed its target.
It's a Lockeed Martin scheme where a C-130 can launch up to two pallets of 6 individually targeted cruise missiles (12 total) using it's regular airdrop capability. A C-17 can do up to two pallets of 9. The plane remains useful for it's normal cargo duties.
The pallets slide out the back of the plane, the parachutes open holding the pallet nose down so the missiles can drop out easily. They release, fire up their engine, and head for the targets.
The live test was done with 1 live cruise missile and 5 dummies. The live one released, fired up, cruised, and destroyed its target.