SOCEUR Demonstrates Palletized Cruise Missile Launch In Norway

As part of a NATO demonstration program, U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) has shown off its ability to launch a cruise missile from a cargo aircraft, reports the command.

On Wednesday, the command demonstrated the Rapid Dragon program as part of Operation Atreus, which is designed to bring NATO allies and partners together through training on various capabilities.

This was the first combined exercise under Operation Atreus, with participation from Norway, Poland, Romania and the U.K., as well as U.S. Air Force Europe-Air Forces Africa, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific and U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command.

The Rapid Dragon Palletized Effects System is designed to deploy long-range cruise missiles using standard airdrop procedures from cargo aircraft such as the MC-130J Commando II.

During Wednesday’s trial, a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) was launched at the Andoya Space Center in northern Norway.

This was the first demonstration of the capability in Europe, said SOCEUR.