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The Air Force Rapid Dragon Experimentation Program, along with partners from Air Force Special Operations Command, have successfully demonstrated beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) Command and Control of a Palletized Weapon System. This milestone was achieved while participating in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Northern Edge’21 exercise.
The operational utility of delivering long-range strike weapons en masse from military cargo aircraft is being assessed through the fast-paced experimentation campaign known as Rapid Dragon and is led by the Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation Office at the Air Force Research Laboratory.
“The Rapid Dragon Program demonstrated the ability to transfer targeting data from the Standoff Munitions Applications Center (SMAC) to an airborne [AFSOC] aircraft,” said Dr. Dean Evans, Rapid Dragon program manager. “The data assigned a new routing and target to the on-board munition emulator, which set in motion the virtual launch of a ‘palletized’ Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) missile. Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control, R4 Integration, SMAC, and Naval Surface Warfare Center - Dahlgren were integral to the success of this first-ever dynamic targeting capability.”
During this operational demonstration, which simulated the “closing of the kill chain,” an off-board sensor identified an emerging target and provided the location to the All Domain Operations Center-Experiment (ADOC-E). ADOC-E directed SMAC to dynamically retarget the palletized missiles, which was accomplished via BLOS communications. ADOC-E simultaneously directed the aircraft to proceed to the new simulated release area. Onboard the MC-130J, the JASSM-ER emulator achieved all-up-round (AUR) status, demonstrating the ability to strike the new targets in accordance with the updated orders.
According to Evans, a unique aspect of this demonstration is the retargeting took full advantage of the JASSM’s capabilities for survivability and precision strike, previously only available in missiles with missions planned before aircraft takeoff.
“This enhanced capability can provide combatant commanders additional targeting flexibility and control in the prosecution of the high-end fight. Additionally, the retargeting methodology used is transferrable to other strike platforms, potentially making all JASSM-capable strike assets more lethal in an increasingly complicated and dynamic near-peer conflict,” Evans said.
Achieving this milestone paves the way for the next flight test this summer, where SDPE will conduct a system level jettison test from an AFSOC MC-130J and an Air Mobility Command C-17. The current phase of the program will conduct a live munition test of this new capability by the end of the year.
Rapid Dragon offers a roll-on, roll-off capability that uses standard airdrop procedures without any modifications to the aircraft, thus transforming mobility aircraft into lethal strike weapon platforms that augment the strike capacity of tactical fighters and strategic bombers.
Northern Edge 21 was a U.S.-only field training exercise held May 3-14, at main operating bases and forward operating sites in and around Alaska with participation from approximately 15,000 service members, six U.S. Navy ships and 240 aircraft.
The exercise provided high-end, realistic war fighter training, developed and improved joint interoperability, and enhanced the combat readiness of participating forces by providing a venue for large force employment training and multi-domain operations; tactical training for the full spectrum of conflict; execution and advancement of adaptive basing joint tactics, techniques and procedures; advancement of live-virtual constructive capabilities; and support to USINDOPACOM’s experimental initiatives.
Rapid Dragon experimentation campaign evaluates delivering long-range strike weapons via m
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFRL) – The Air Force Rapid Dragon Experimentation Program, along with partners from Air Force Special Operations Command, have successfully demonstrated
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