The MC-130J Commando II is a multi-mission combat and transport aircraft assigned to US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) capable of conducting a wide range of clandestine or low-visibility missions.

It is the first of the C-130 family of transport aircraft to be developed specifically for special operations with a lighter, more efficient design.

The MC-130J conducts single or multi-ship low-level infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions by airdrop or airland as well as air refueling missions for AFSOC helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft. The aircraft can covertly penetrate politically sensitive or hostile territories and can airdrop leaflets.

The Commando II flies primarily at night to skirt visual detection and interception by airborne threats.

The MC-130J's range of 4,828km and ability to reach speeds of 670km/h at a cruising altitude of 6.7km bolsters its ability to conduct low-visibility and clandestine missions.

The aircraft is capable of carrying heavy payloads. It can reach a ceiling of 8.5km while transporting a 19,050kg payload.

The first MC-130J was delivered in September 2011. The US Air Force has 57 MC-130Js and is planning to acquire a full fleet of 64 of the planes.

Rapid Dragon capability

The Rapid Dragon system also enables the MC-130J to deploy cruise missiles.

Rapid Dragon is a rapidly deployable, transportable weapon module designed to allow cargo and airlift platforms such as the MC-130J to airdrop long-range, palletized munitions and enhance their versatility in combat. It was first designed in 2021.

It enables the MC-130J to conduct low detection strategic bombing missions using the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER), a low detection and long-range air-launched cruise missile.

The JASSM-ER carries a 454kg WDU-42/B penetrator warhead capable of destroying high value enemy targets. It is fired from aircraft unreachable by the adversary's area defenses.

The system uses a Global Positioning System-aided Inertial Navigation System and highly accurate infrared thermography to identify, image and strike enemy targets.

The JASSM-ER is proficient in destroying both hard targets such as aircraft hangars and underground command posts as well as soft infrastructure targets such as rail yards.

AFSOC in November 2022 successfully conducted the first live-fire demonstration of the Rapid Dragon system in the European Command theater over Andoya Space Defense Range in Norway.

During US Special Operations Command Europe exercise ATREUS 22-4, two MC-130J aircraft flew the Rapid Dragon package and deployed it over the Atlantic Ocean.

Utilizing Link 16, a tactical military data network employed by the United States, NATO and other allies to communicate relevant air and missile data, the MC-130J and its flight crew were able to receive in-flight targeting data and strike a target.

"An MC-130J is the perfect aircraft for this capability because we can land and operate from 3,000-foot [914-meter-long] highways and austere landing zones whereas a bomber cannot," Lt. Col. Valerie Knight, 352nd Special Operations Wing mission commander, said in an AFSOC statement.

"After the successful execution of this airdrop, we have now proven we can employ the same weapons system -- creating a dilemma for our adversaries," Knight said.