Raytheon repairs towed decoys for Super Hornets
AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system. (Photo: Raytheon)
The AN/ALE-50 fibre-optic towed decoy is designed to protect combat aircraft from air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, by using active and semi-active radar homing.
The USN has contracted Raytheon to repair three AN/ALE-50 towed decoy systems used with F/A-18E/F Super Hornet multirole fighter aircraft.
A $30.98 million IDIQ deal from Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support will be completed by December 2026 with no options, the DoD announced on 6 December.
The AN/ALE-50 fibre-optic towed decoy is designed to protect combat aircraft from air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, by using active and semi-active radar homing.
The decoy can either equip an underwing hardpoint or be installed internally. The entire AN/ALE-50 ensemble comprises a decoy winching assembly, launch controller and the expendable decoy which is towed behind the aircraft.
The decoy is wound out from the aircraft when in flight and will transmit RF waveforms to present a more attractive target than the aircraft to lure a missile away from its intended target.
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