MALD-J proves capability to protect aircraft
The US Air Force demonstrated that Raytheon Company's Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer could protect aircraft when it completed the first test of the MALD-J in a simulated operational environment.
MALD is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles). The current MALD family includes both the baseline MALD and a stand-in jammer variant called the MALD-J.
"This test marked the greatest number of multiple Raytheon MALD vehicles airborne at once and demonstrated MALD-J's ability to protect manned aircraft," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "Completion of this test also removes the last major hurdle toward MALD-J completing a Functional Configuration Audit."
In an FCA, the government validates that the system meets all requirements and performs to specifications. With the completion of the FCA, the US Air Force could authorize a Milestone C decision - the decision to begin production - by the end of 2011.
The flight test was the most rigorous and complex test to date. Multiple MALD-Js in free flight and multiple captive-carry MALD-Js conducted electronic attack missions and demonstrated MALD-J's ability to operate in a dynamic environment with a manned aircraft strike package.
The baseline MALD, which is currently in production, protects aircrew and airborne systems by mimicking the signatures and combat flight profiles of US and allied aircraft. The MALD-J protects aircrew and airborne systems by reducing or eliminating the need for manned stand-in jamming aircraft.
Source: Raytheon
More from Defence Notes
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.
-
European Commission sets out first-ever European Defence Industrial strategy
The strategy set out by the Commission will aim to bolster Europe’s defence industry, foster innovation and strengthen international alliances.
-
Boeing fined $51 million due to unauthorised exports
An administrative settlement between the US Department of State and the manufacturer resolved 199 violations of US regulations including unauthorised exports of technical data to China.