ADM-160 MALD

An F-16 carrying two Miniature Air-launched decoys (red) during a 1999 test.

The ADM-160 MALD (Miniature Air-Launched Decoy) is a decoy missile developed by the United States of America.

Overview

DARPA MALD program

The Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) program was begun in 1995 by DARPA as an effort to develop a small, low cost decoy missile for use in the suppression of enemy defences. Teledyne Ryan (acquired by Northrop Grumman in 1999) was granted a development contract for the ADM-160A in 1996, and the first test flight took place in 1999. The evaluation program was finished by 2001.

The US Air Force planned to acquire several thousand of ADM-160A's, but in 2001 this was reduced to at most 150 for a System Development and Demonstration(SDD) program.^[1] In January 2002, the USAF cancelled the program because the drone didn't have enough range and endurance to meet the service's requirements or to perform other missions.^[2]

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 1500.

In 2008 a contract for a jamming variant MALD-J was awarded to Raytheon. It made its first freefall test in 2009, passed its critical design review in early 2010, and is expected to be delivered in 2012.^{[5] [6]}

US Navy

The Naval Surface Warfare Center will place an order for the MALD-J.^[7]

Variants

ADM-160A 

Original decoy version developed by Teledyne Ryan (acquired by Northrop Grumman) and funded by DARPA.

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 SentryAWACS. It completed its development program in 2002. ^[1]

ADM-160B 

Decoy version developed by Raytheon with longer endurance. In use by the USAF.

ADM-160C MALD-J 

Variant of ADM-160B by Raytheon, which is designed to jam enemy radars. Currently in development.^[8]

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 m)
• 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 m)
• Endurance : Over 45 min at altitude
• Propulsion : Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet
• Unit cost : US$120,000^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} designation-systems.net ADM-160
2. ^ ^{a b} Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 6.0 Decoys
3. ^ U.S. Air Force accepts first delivery of Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy
4. ^ Raytheon Delivers on Miniature Air Launched Decoy Contract
5. ^ ^{a b c} Raytheons MALD Decoys Gaining Versatility
6. ^ Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer Completes Critical Design Review
7. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "Raytheon jammer attracts US Navy interest as roles expand." Flight International, 27 May 2011.
8. ^ Jane's

This article contains material that originally came from the web article Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by Greg Goebel, which exists in the Public Domain.

See also

• List of missiles