The UK could purchase the "Palletised Cruise Missiles" to complement it's fleet of C17's and A400M's. but would probably want a cheaper version, not quite as good as the US version, like one missile per pallet.
Interesting concept, but using these in the "Indo-Pacific region" as the commentary says, means a rather long and slow flight out across the Pacific given that the missile only has a range of 600 or so miles. Surprise would not be the active element presumably.
And using your heavy transport a/c as makeshift weapons platforms might be a good option to have, but only as an option, not a policy.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
I agree with Surpmil one might say that if pushed in a ground war campaign the transports could possibly deploy the munitions as a back up plan to swarm an enemies defences but agreed a transport plane is no F-35 Raptor!
Interesting concept. On the 'swarm' idea, the UK is currently developing Spear3.
It's a descendant of the Hellfire missile used to great effect by the AH64 Apache.
Spear3 ditches the rocket motor and replaces it with a miniature jet engine, adds pop out wings and replaces the relatively simple seeker with a complex duel imaging / radar seeking head.
This is all backed up with AI, so basically a single Typhoon can carry 16, or an F35 can carry 8 in its bays.
If it was used purely by our F35B's, they could launch 16 aircraft from one of our carriers, in full Stealth mode, pick their way through air defences and launch 128 missiles from over 80 miles away at a concentration of enemy Armour.
They would converge on the target area, de- conflict from each over and search for high value targets, while ignoring decoys.
Then go into a steep climb and slice vertically into the target.
Basically, a single strike could effectively destroy an Armoured Regiment, follow up strikes would finish it off.
7 or 8 years away from service yet, but it gives you an idea of the effectiveness of upcoming systems.
PM
