3/19/2016

ADM-160 MALD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 of America.

An F-16 carrying two Miniature Air-launched

decoys (red) during a 1999 test.

External images
Raytheon ADM-160C (MALD-J)
Raytheon Corp.
(http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/image/rtn_rms_product_mald_pic02.jpg)
Raytheon Corp.
(http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/image/rtn_rms_product_mald_pic04.jpg)

Contents
1 Overview
1.1 DARPA MALD program
1.2 New USAF competition
1.3 US Navy
1.4 British interest
2 Variants
2.1 Experimental variants
3 Launch platforms
4 Specifications (Northrop Grumman ADM-160A)
5 Specifications (Raytheon ADM-160B)
6 References
7 See also

Overview
DARPA MALD program
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-160_MALD

1/6

3/19/2016

ADM-160 MALD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 Air Defenses. 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 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]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-160_MALD

2/6

3/19/2016

ADM-160 MALD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 will be 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/A18E/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 rapidreplacement, 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]

British interest
The British Ministry of Defence expressed interest on the MALD-V platform at the Paris Airshow in 2009.[18]

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.[19]
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 and 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
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-160_MALD

3/6

3/19/2016

ADM-160 MALD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.[20] 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.[21]

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.[22] 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.[23]
MASSM
Miniature Autonomous Search and Strike Missile, proposed MALD upgrade to hunt transporter erector
launchers (TELs). It would be equipped with LIDAR, millimeter wave radar, and an imaging infrared
sensor with a small warhead to accommodate fuel and satellite communications. Depending on altitude
and endurance, one MASSM could search 3,000 km2 (1,200 sq mi) of area. May be recoverable.[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
MQ-1 Predator
MQ-1C Gray Eagle
MQ-9 Reaper

Specifications (Northrop Grumman ADM-160A)

Length : 2.38 m (7 ft 10 in)
Wingspan : 0.65 m (2 ft 2 in)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-160_MALD

4/6

3/19/2016

ADM-160 MALD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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)[24]

References
1. designation-systems.net ADM-160 (http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-160.html)
2. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 6.0 Decoys (http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav_06.html#m1)
3. U.S. Air Force accepts first delivery of Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy
(http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/feature/mald_03-09/)
4. Raytheon Delivers on Miniature Air Launched Decoy Contract (http://investor.raytheon.com/phoenix.zhtml?
c=84193&p=irol-newsArticle&id=1408193)
5. Raytheons MALD Decoys Gaining Versatility (http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Raytheons-MALDDecoys-Gaining-Versatility-04844/)
6. Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer Completes Critical Design Review
(http://raytheon.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.mediaroom.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.com/newsreleases/us-air-force-completes-operational-testing-on-raytheons-mald-j-300063167.html) - PRNewswire.com,
14 April 2015
9. Raytheon and General Atomics team-up to integrate MALD onto Reaper
(http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raytheon-and-general-atomics-team-up-to-integrate-mald-ontoreaper-382308/) - Flightglobal.com, February 13, 2013
10. Raytheon reveals new composite missile body for MALD decoy-jammer
(http://www.flightglobal.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/news/Miniature-AirLaunched-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
(http://online.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/digitalbattlespace/data-link-equipped-mald-j-flies-first-time/) - Shephardmedia.com, 11 December 2014
14. Raytheon develops cheaper MALD (http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/digital-battlespace/raytheon-buildscheaper-mald-airframe/) - Shephardmedia.com, 23 July 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-160_MALD

5/6

3/19/2016

ADM-160 MALD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

15. Trimble, Stephen. "Raytheon jammer attracts US Navy interest as roles expand."
(http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/27/357272/raytheon-jammer-attracts-us-navy-interest-as-rolesexpand.html) Flight International, 27 May 2011.
16. Raytheon Corp. "Raytheon and US Navy begin MALD-J Super Hornet integration"
(http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2121), 'Press Release', 6, July 2012.
17. Raytheon demos new MALD-J architecture (http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/digitalbattlespace/raytheon-demonstrates-new-mald-j-architecture/) - Shephardmedia.com, 10 September 2015
18. Craig Holye. "PARIS AIR SHOW: Raytheon advances MALD-J, as UK eyes derivative."
(http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-air-show-raytheon-advances-mald-j-as-uk-eyes-derivative328032/) Flight International, 16 May 209.
19. Andreas Parsch "ADM-160" (http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-160.html), 'Directory of U.S.
Military Rockets and Missiles', 25, July 2007.
20. US Air Force Appropriation/Budget activity worksheet. Unclassified page 10.[1]
(http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/budget/fy2011/usaf-peds/0604270f.pdf), February 2010.
21. Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) and MALD-Jammer (MALD-J)
(http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2014/pdf/af/2014mald.pdf) - Office of the Director, Operational Test
& Evaluation. 2014
22. Defense Industry Daily "Raytheon's MALD Decoys Gaining Versatility"
(http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Raytheons-MALD-Decoys-Gaining-Versatility-04844/), 1, December
2011.
23. Raytheon explores further developments after MALD-J completes operational tests
(http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raytheon-explores-further-developments-after-mald-j-completesoperational-386668/) - Flightglobal.com, 4 June 2013
24. Stopping Mobile Missiles: Top Picks For Offset Strategy: (http://breakingdefense.com/2015/01/stoppingmobile-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
(http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav.html) by Greg Goebel, which exists in the Public Domain.

See also
List of missiles
ADM-141 TALD

Wikimedia Commons has

media related to ADM-160
MALD.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ADM-160_MALD&oldid=697517259"

Categories: Decoy missiles of the United States DARPA
This page was last modified on 31 December 2015, at 00:54.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may
apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered
trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-160_MALD

6/6