ADM-160 MALD

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The ADM-160 MALD (Miniature Air-Launched

Decoy) is a decoy missile developed by the United
States.

Overview

DARPA MALD program

The Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD)

program was begun in 1995 by DARPA as an effort to
ADM-160B, Air Force Armament Museum.
develop a small, low cost decoy missile for use in the
Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses. Teledyne Ryan
(acquired by Northrop Grumman in 1999) was granted a External images
development contract for the ADM-160A in 1996, and the first
Raytheon ADM-160C (MALD-J)
test flight took place in 1999. The evaluation program was
finished by 2001. Raytheon Corp. (http://www.rayt
heon.com/newsroom/rtnwcm/group
The US Air Force planned to acquire several thousand of ADM- s/public/documents/image/rtn_rms_
160A's, but in 2001 this was reduced to at most 150 for a System product_mald_pic02.jpg)
Development and Demonstration (SDD) program.[1] In January
Raytheon Corp. (http://www.rayt
2002, the USAF cancelled the program because the drone didn't
have enough range and endurance to meet the service's heon.com/newsroom/rtnwcm/group
requirements or to perform other missions.[2] s/public/documents/image/rtn_rms_
product_mald_pic04.jpg)
The ADM-160A carries a Signature Augmentation Subsystem
(SAS) which is composed of various active radar enhancers
which cover a range of frequencies. The SAS can therefore simulate any aircraft, from the B-52
Stratofortress to the F-117 Nighthawk.

The missile has folded wings to allow more compact carriage. On launch the wings unfold and a TJ-50
turbojet propels the missile on a pre-determined course which is composed of up to 100 different
waypoints. An inertial navigation system with GPS support keeps the MALD on course. Although pre-
programmed before the aircraft leaves the ground, the course can be modified by the pilot at any point up to
launch.

New USAF competition

In 2002, the USAF renewed its interest in an air-launched decoy and started a new industry-wide
competition for a variant with greater endurance.[2] The contract for a new MALD was awarded to
Raytheon in Spring 2003.
The Raytheon ADM-160B is similar in configuration to the ADM-160A, but has a trapezoidal fuselage
cross section and is larger and heavier. It is powered by a Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150, a more powerful
variant of the TJ-50.

The first ADM-160B was delivered in Spring 2009.[3] In 2010 an "operationally significant quantity" of
the drones were delivered to the Air Force.[4] The USAF currently plans to procure about 1,500.

In 2008 a contract for a jamming variant MALD-J was awarded to Raytheon. It made its first freefall test in
2009 and passed its critical design review in early 2010.[5][6] The first MALD-J was delivered to the Air
Force on September 6, 2012. On September 24, Raytheon started operational testing, achieving four
successful flights out of four launches.[7] In April 2015, the MALD-J completed operational testing,
satisfying all requirements in 42 flight tests over the last two years.[8]

In November 2012, Raytheon completed ground verification tests for the MALD and MALD-J for
integration onto the MQ-9 Reaper UAV. Integration onto the aircraft was expected sometime in 2013, with
the goal for an unmanned suppression of enemy air defenses capability.[9] The company has also explored
integration onto the smaller MQ-1 Predator and U.S. Army MQ-1C Gray Eagle.[10]

In June 2013, Raytheon completed a four-year development program of the MALD, under budget. The
MALD and MALD-J successfully completed all 30 engineering and operational flight tests, with each
version completing 15.[11] The Air Force has cleared the B-model MALD for export.[10]

In May 2014, Raytheon delivered the 1,000th MALD-J to the Air Force as part of the Lot 5 production
contract. The MALD program has achieved a perfect 33-for-33 flight test success record over the past two
years.[12]

In December 2014, a MALD-J was test-flown with a radio data-link to expand situational awareness and
allow for in-flight targeting adjustments. While carrying out a jamming mission, the MALD-J was able to
send situation awareness data to the EW Battle Manager, which used the information to adjust its mission
while in-flight.[13]

In July 2015, Raytheon revealed it had developed a new composite missile body for the MALD-J in
partnership with Fokker Aerostructures and Italian race car manufacturer Dallara that is 25 percent cheaper
to produce; Fokker adapted robotics to wind the carbon fiber fuselage instead of the conventional manual
process and Dallara applied its lightweight structural technologies to airframe accessories such as air inlets
and covers. The new cheaper airframe design was first incorporated into Lot 7 production models in 2015,
from the contract awarded in June 2014.[10][14]

US Navy

The Naval Surface Warfare Center will place an order for the MALD-J.[15]

Systems integration has been announced as of July 6, 2012, by the Raytheon Corp. for the U.S. Navy's
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The process included a series of risk reduction activities and technology
demonstrations.[16]

On 9 September 2015, Raytheon and the Naval Research Lab announced they had demonstrated a new
rapid-replacement, modular architecture for the MALD-J for electronic warfare payloads. Four payloads,
each customized for a specific mission and threat, were demonstrated in 12 captive carry flights; the
payloads could be swapped out of a captive carry vehicle in less than one minute.[17]
In July 2016, Raytheon received a contract to develop an evolution of the MALD-J called the MALD-X,
incorporating an improved electronic warfare payload, the ability to fly at low-altitude, and an enhanced
net-enabled data-link. The company hopes to transition the MALD-X into the MALD-N for the U.S.
Navy.[18]

British interest

The British Ministry of Defence expressed interest on the MALD-V platform at the Paris Airshow in
2009.[19]

Variants
ADM-160A
Original decoy version developed by Teledyne Ryan (acquired by Northrop Grumman)
and funded by DARPA. It uses GPS-aided navigation system, and can fly missions with up
to 256 predefined waypoints. The mission profile is preprogrammed, but can be redefined
by the pilot of the launching aircraft until immediately before launch.[20]

ADM-160B
Decoy version developed by Raytheon with longer endurance. In use by the USAF.

ADM-160C "MALD-J"
Radar jammer variant of ADM-160B by Raytheon. This variant of the MALD decoy will be
able to operate in both decoy and jammer modes. The decoy and jammer configurations
are key enablers supporting the Air Force Global Strike, Global Response, Space and
C4ISR, and the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Concepts of Operations. MALD-J will
provide stand-in jamming capability for the Airborne Electronic Attack Systems of Systems.
It will be launched against a preplanned target and jam specific radars in a stand-in role to
degrade or deny the IADS detection of friendly aircraft or munitions.[21] Delivery to the US
Armed Forces is to begin in 2012.[16] That year, the Air Force ended procurement of the
ADM-160B and will only procure MALD-J versions.[22]

Experimental variants
MALI
The Miniature Air-Launched Interceptor (MALI) is an armed version of the ADM-160A
which could be used against cruise missiles. It has a more powerful engine and a more
aerodynamic shape for supersonic flight, and can be updated in mid flight via a command
link to aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS. It completed its development program in
2002.[1]

MALD-V
Modular payload version that provides space for mission specific payloads of surveillance
gear, radio/radar/infrared jammers or other equipment. This may provide the go-forward
architecture, and give the option of turning MALD into a UAV, or even a combination killer-
UAV/decoy.[23] If equipped with sensor payloads, the MALD may be modified to be
 recovered so as not to lose valuable payloads after each flight.[15] One payload option
could be a thermobaric warhead, essentially turning the MALD into a cruise missile.[24]

Launch platforms
Current:[10]
F-16 Fighting Falcon
B-52 Stratofortress
Future and potential:[10][15]
F/A-18 Super Hornet
C-130 Hercules
C-17 Globemaster III
V-22 Osprey
AV-8B Harrier II
Eurofighter Typhoon
A-10C Warthog[25][26]
MQ-1 Predator
MQ-1C Gray Eagle
MQ-9 Reaper
Gripen E[27]

Specifications (Northrop Grumman ADM-160A)

Length : 2.38 m (7 ft 10 in)
Wingspan : 0.65 m (2 ft 2 in)
Diameter : 15 cm (6 in)
Weight : 45 kg (100 lb)
Speed : Mach 0.8
Ceiling : Over 9,000 m (30,000 ft)
Range : Over 460 km (285 mi)
Endurance : Over 20 min
Propulsion : Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-50 turbojet; 220 N (50 lbf) thrust
Unit cost : US$30,000[5]

Specifications (Raytheon ADM-160B)

Length : 2.84 m (9 ft 7 in)
Wingspan : 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) fully extended
Weight : 115 kg (250 lb)
Speed : Mach 0.91
Ceiling : Over 12,200 m (40,000 ft)
Range : Approximately 920 km (575 mi) with ability to loiter over target
Endurance : Over 45 min at altitude
Propulsion : Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet
 Unit cost : US$120,000 (initial),[5] US$322,000 (as of 2015)[28]

See also
List of missiles
ADM-141 TALD

References
1. "Northrop Grumman ADM-160A / Raytheon ADM-160B/C MALD" (http://www.designation-sy
stems.net/dusrm/m-160.html). www.designation-systems.net. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
2. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 6.0 Decoys (http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav_06.html#m1)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20101227191933/http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav_06.
html#m1) December 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
3. U.S. Air Force accepts first delivery of Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy (http://www.r
aytheon.com/newsroom/feature/mald_03-09/)
4. "Raytheon: Investors: News Release" (https://web.archive.org/web/20170511091356/http://i
nvestor.raytheon.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=84193&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1408193).
investor.raytheon.com. Archived from the original (http://investor.raytheon.com/phoenix.zhtm
l?c=84193&p=irol-newsArticle&id=1408193) on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
5. "Expendable Wave: Raytheons MALD MALD-J Decoys" (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.co
m/raytheons-mald-decoys-gaining-versatility-04844/). Defense Industry Daily. Retrieved
15 June 2019.
6. Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer Completes Critical Design Review (http://r
aytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1501&pagetemplate=release)
7. Raytheon MALD-J Decoy Goes 4 for 4 in Operational Flight Tests (http://raytheon.mediaroo
m.com/index.php?s=43&item=2174) - Raytheon press release, September 24, 2012
8. US Air Force completes operational testing on Raytheon's MALD-J (http://www.prnewswire.c
om/news-releases/us-air-force-completes-operational-testing-on-raytheons-mald-j-3000631
67.html) - PRNewswire.com, 14 April 2015
9. Raytheon and General Atomics team-up to integrate MALD onto Reaper (http://www.flightglo
bal.com/news/articles/raytheon-and-general-atomics-team-up-to-integrate-mald-onto-reaper-
382308/) - Flightglobal.com, February 13, 2013
10. Raytheon reveals new composite missile body for MALD decoy-jammer (http://www.flightglo
bal.com/news/articles/raytheon-reveals-new-composite-missile-body-for-mald-414902/) -
Flightglobal.com, 22 July 2015
11. Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer Completes Flight Testing (http://www.deagel.com/ne
ws/Miniature-Air-Launched-Decoy-Jammer-Completes-Flight-Testing_n000011565.aspx) -
Deagel.com, 16 June 2013
12. Raytheon delivers 1000th Miniature Air Launched Decoy- Jammer to US Air Force (https://w
ww.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140513-907705.html) - WSJ.com, 13 May 2014
13. Data link-equipped MALD-J flies for the first time (http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/digit
al-battlespace/data-link-equipped-mald-j-flies-first-time/) - Shephardmedia.com, 11
December 2014
14. Raytheon develops cheaper MALD (http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/digital-battlespac
e/raytheon-builds-cheaper-mald-airframe/) - Shephardmedia.com, 23 July 2015
15. Trimble, Stephen. "Raytheon jammer attracts US Navy interest as roles expand." (http://ww
w.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/27/357272/raytheon-jammer-attracts-us-navy-interest-as-
roles-expand.html) Flight International, 27 May 2011.
16. Raytheon Corp. "Raytheon and US Navy begin MALD-J Super Hornet integration" (http://ray
theon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2121), 'Press Release', 6, July 2012.
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tlespace/raytheon-demonstrates-new-mald-j-architecture/) - Shephardmedia.com, 10
September 2015
18. USAF contracts Raytheon to develop navy-specific decoy (https://www.flightglobal.com/new
s/articles/farnborough-usaf-contracts-raytheon-to-develop-navy-427152/) - Flightglobal.com,
10 July 2016
19. Craig Holye. "PARIS AIR SHOW: Raytheon advances MALD-J, as UK eyes derivative." (htt
p://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-air-show-raytheon-advances-mald-j-as-uk-eyes
-derivative-328032/) Flight International, 16 May 209.
20. Andreas Parsch "ADM-160" (http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-160.html),
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21. US Air Force Appropriation/Budget activity worksheet. Unclassified page 10.[1] (http://www.g
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22. Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) and MALD-Jammer (MALD-J) (http://www.dote.osd.
mil/pub/reports/FY2014/pdf/af/2014mald.pdf) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2018091
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ndustrydaily.com/Raytheons-MALD-Decoys-Gaining-Versatility-04844/), 1, December 2011.
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ww.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raytheon-explores-further-developments-after-mald-j-com
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25. Trevithick, Joseph (2022-11-09). "A-10s Train With Air-Launched Decoys Alongside B-1B
Bombers" (https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/a-10s-train-with-air-launched-decoys-alo
ngside-b-1b-bombers). The Drive. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
26. Dangwal, Ashish (November 9, 2022). "Peculiar Combo Of A-10C Warthogs & B-1B
Strategic Bombers Of US Air Force Flex Muscles In China's Backyard" (https://eurasiantime
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27. "Illustration" (https://web.archive.org/web/20190413050235/https://saab.com/globalassets/co
mmercial/air/gripen-fighter-system/evolution/greipen_e_weapon_2340_modif.jpg).
saab.com. Archived from the original (https://saab.com/globalassets/commercial/air/gripen-fi
ghter-system/evolution/greipen_e_weapon_2340_modif.jpg) (PDF) on 2019-04-13.
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28. Stopping Mobile Missiles: Top Picks For Offset Strategy: (http://breakingdefense.com/2015/0
1/stopping-mobile-missiles-top-picks-for-offset-strategy/) - Breakingdefense.com, 23 January
2015

This article contains material that originally came from the web article Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20110902194407/http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav.html) by Greg Goebel, which exists
in the Public Domain.

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