They likely have started as they fall away from the pylon. The Stormshadow, and other cruise missiles, use jet propulsion and don't usually have a very visible exhaust. The reason ground and ship launched versions have the smoke trail is because they use a solid fuel booster to push them up to speed initially for the jet to start. Air launched missiles already have speed and altitude, so you don't need a booster.

[–] ChicoSuave@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Right? They don't feel "launched" so much as "dropped".

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

Neat

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

For reference, the aircraft is a SU-24 Fencer.

[–] HaleHirsute@infosec.pub 4 points 1 month ago

I hope they had success.