The exact combat value of a system untested under wartime pressure remains uncertain. A more immediate constraint is the finite pool of transport aircraft available in a Pacific island campaign. The same aircraft proposed for a Rapid Dragon strike may be urgently needed to resupply dispersed bases and allied positions. Each missile sortie therefore carries an operational opportunity cost even if the launch system itself works as intended.
Notable Point · 4:00:10-4:01:06
Rapid Dragon's airlift opportunity cost
In a Pacific island campaign, a transport aircraft assigned to launch palletized missiles is unavailable for the resupply work that keeps dispersed bases operating.