The move reflects progress in delivering a new capability that enables cargo aircraft to deploy palletized munitions. The programme builds on earlier experimental work under the Rapid Dragon initiative, which demonstrated that aircraft such as the C-130 and C-17 could safely release payloads from their cargo holds.
Dragon Cart is designed to deliver multiple payloads from stand-off distances, expanding operational flexibility and targeting options. The system integrates standard airlift equipment with a U.S. government-owned Battle Management System to deploy kinetic effects globally.
The Air Force said palletized configurations, including systems such as the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles, can be loaded onto aircraft, released and dispersed mid-air. This approach is intended to extend the role of mobility aircraft beyond traditional transport missions.
“This program provides the operational ambiguity, adversary deterrence and additional command options to maximize operational effects,” said JiaJia Lee, Dragon Cart programme manager.
“It gives us the option to transform mobility aircraft into powerful strike platforms, unlocking capabilities we wouldn’t normally have in how we employ our airlift fleet,” Lee added.
The Air Force said Dragon Cart’s rapid development has been supported by a “born digital” acquisition approach. The programme uses model-based systems engineering and maintains government control over technical data and system architecture.
“Dragon Cart is literally the ‘born digital’ dream come true,” said Kent Mueller, systems engineering programme manager and programme architect.
“It is a system that was born inside Model-Based Systems Engineering models. Because we own the engineering, if a new payload needs a launch module that is slightly longer, we just model it, do the load path analysis, and send that model to our production vendors,” he said.
The Air Force said the programme’s structure allows for faster scaling and future upgrades by combining existing technologies with digital engineering methods. This approach is intended to remove traditional development delays and enable rapid capability growth.
As the programme moves forward, the Air Force plans to use the Middle Tier Acquisition rapid fielding pathway to accelerate deployment. Officials said prototype contracts with industry partners are expected to be awarded in May as part of the next phase.
