{"id":62678,"date":"2022-11-10T16:22:33","date_gmt":"2022-11-10T16:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2022\/11\/10\/watch-this-us-air-force-cargo-plane-launch-a-cruise-missile-in-norway\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:35:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:35:05","slug":"watch-this-us-air-force-cargo-plane-launch-a-cruise-missile-in-norway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2022\/11\/10\/watch-this-us-air-force-cargo-plane-launch-a-cruise-missile-in-norway\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch this US Air Force cargo plane launch a cruise missile in Norway"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/atype-video-jwplayer>
A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II executes the first-ever European-theater live-fire demonstration of a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile during exercise Atreus in Norway on Nov. 9, 2022. (Staff Sgt. Izabella Workman\/U.S. Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Air Force has for the first time in an overseas test used its Rapid Dragon system<\/a>, in which cruise missiles on pallets are launched from the back of a mobility aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An MC-130J Commando II from the 352nd Special Operations Wing launched a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range cruise missile using the system nicknamed \u201cbomb bay in a box\u201d<\/a> in a range over the Norwegian Sea on Wednesday, the Air Force Research Laboratory said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dean Evans, the program manager for Rapid Dragon<\/a>, said the successful test shows how quickly the program is progressing, noting that it moved from a concept on paper to a live-fire test in two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow, less than three years from the program\u2019s inception, Rapid Dragon is being used by [U.S. Special Operations Command Europe] in the Arctic Circle,\u201d Evans said in a release. \u201cThis is a testament to the team\u2019s focus on rapid fielding to meet warfighter needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The command posted a video online Wednesday that shows the test process at Norway\u2019s And\u00f8ya Space Defense Range from multiple perspectives. A parachute attached to the Rapid Dragon deployment box is tossed from the open cargo bay of the MC-130, which then unfurls and swiftly pulls the pallet out of the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

#BREAKING<\/a> video from 352nd Special Operations Wing successful test fire of a palletized Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). Successful extraction of deployment box, release of JASSM with wing extension, and motor engagement during exercise #ATREUS22<\/a> #SOFinEurope<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3hLcXDJ3bl<\/a><\/p>— US Spec Ops Europe (@US_SOCEUR) November 9, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>