AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system. (Photo: Raytheon)
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.
The UK MoD said it would narrow down the competitors from four to two later in the year, with those selected going on to develop the prototype drone that will operate as loyal wingman to the British Army’s Apache AH-64E helicopters.
The UH-60M is the latest variant of the UH-60, a workhorse multirole helicopter that continues to attract further orders from across the globe. With further modernisation upgrades underway, the platform is expected to remain in operation until 2050.
The DroneShield US subsidiary is rapidly expanding its manufacturing footprint in the country and has expedited the process to double its domestic production capacity in at least four months.
The Pentagon has sent an amendment to the Office of Management and Budget, according to Pete Hegseth, including funds for the procurement of E-7 Wedgetails in FY2027.
As Europe confronts its most unstable security environment since the Cold War, defence planners recognise that advanced, dependable and flexible Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are central to a force that competes and prevails on today’s battlefield.
The country could be on the cusp of finalising an historic deal with Saab for up to 150 aircraft, with Belgium also increasing its number of donated F-16 aircraft to 53 with refreshed delivery timelines.
Connect with us on socials
