Raytheon and the USAF complete operational tests of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer

a
World Aviation Defense & Security News - Raytheon
 
 
Raytheon and the USAF complete operational tests of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer
 
Raytheon Company and the U.S. Air Force successfully completed operational tests of Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer (MALD-J), satisfying all requirements to attain Initial Operational Capability, the US-based company announced in a statement today, April 14.
     
Raytheon and the USAF complete operational tests of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer
Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy system
     
"MALD-J's unique capabilities have been proven in 42 successful flight tests during the last two years and brought us closer to full rate production," said Mike Jarrett, vice president of Raytheon's Air Warfare Systems. "MALD helps protect warfighters in the battlespace so they can complete their missions and return home safely."

The unmanned MALD-J navigates and operates much closer to the hostile radar when jamming the electronics than conventional electronic warfare systems, allowing aviators and aircraft to stay out of harm's way. It can operate alone or in pairs, but is designed to work with and leverage other electronic warfare platforms.

The system is a modular, air-launched autonomous vehicle that can be carried like a missile by a larger aircraft and deployed during combat. MALD-J weighs less than 136kg (300lb) and has a 500nm (926km) range, according to Raytheon. MALD protects aircraft and their crews by duplicating the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft. MALD-J adds radar-jamming capability to the basic MALD platform.