The US and Japan are working on a new missile system that can be launched from transport aircraft to quickly and pre-emptively respond to missile threats from China and North Korea. The system, dubbed as ‘pellet bombing’, involves dropping air-launched missiles in swarms from cargo planes, such as the C-130 and the C-2, to overwhelm enemy defenses and strike targets at long ranges.
The system is similar to the US Air Force’s Rapid Dragon program, which has tested the AGM-138 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) being loaded and then dropped from C-130 transport aircraft in ‘pellets’. The JASSM is a stealthy cruise missile that can hit targets up to 900 km away with precision. The US Air Force demonstrated the launch of a swarm of JASSMs from a C-130 last year, as a cheap and easy solution to overcome the challenges posed by China’s military.
Japan’s version of the system involves its Type 12 anti-ship missiles (ASM) and JASSM being released from its Kawasaki C-2 aircraft, which can carry a payload of 20 tons. The Type 12 is a supersonic missile that can strike naval targets up to 1,000 km away. Japan is considering mounting long-range missiles on its transport aircraft as part of its ‘counter-strike capability’, which aims to deter and defend against missile attacks from its adversaries.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has allocated 3.5 billion Yen (US$25 million) for technical research on the system, expected to conclude in 2024, following which full-scale production will begin. The project is consistent with Japan’s new Defense Buildup Program, released last year, which called for ‘further diversifying launch platforms’ and planned to study a missile system that can be mounted on transport aircraft. Japan also plans to develop missiles to be launched from its submarines.
The US and Japan have recently conducted their first-ever joint aerial exercise with their respective missile systems, showcasing their commitment to enhancing their cooperation and interoperability.
The exercise, which took place on August 8 at Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa Prefecture, featured Japan’s F-15 fighter jets alongside Italy’s F-35 fighters, accompanied by a diverse array of additional military aircraft. The exercise facilitated the exchange of techniques, tactics, and operational procedures between the two allies.
The development of the ‘pellet bombing’ system by the US and Japan is seen as a strategic advancement in fostering their deterrence and defense capabilities against China’s growing military power and assertiveness in the region.
China has been expanding its missile arsenal and developing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities that could pose a threat to the US and its allies’ interests and security. The ‘pellet bombing’ system could provide a rapid and flexible response option to counter such threats and maintain the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.