ADM-160 MALD
The ADM-160 MALD (Miniature Air-Launched Decoy) is a decoy missile developed by the United States of America.
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[edit] Overview
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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]
[edit]
The Naval Surface Warfare Center will place an order for the MALD-J.[7]
[edit] 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]
[edit] 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 mi)
- Endurance : Over 20 min
- Propulsion : Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-50 turbojet; 220 N (50 lbf) thrust
- Unit cost : US$30,000[5]
[edit] 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)
- Endurance : Over 45 min at altitude
- Propulsion : Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet
- Unit cost : US$120,000[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b designation-systems.net ADM-160
- ^ a b Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 6.0 Decoys
- ^ U.S. Air Force accepts first delivery of Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy
- ^ Raytheon Delivers on Miniature Air Launched Decoy Contract
- ^ a b c Raytheons MALD Decoys Gaining Versatility
- ^ Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer Completes Critical Design Review
- ^ Trimble, Stephen. "Raytheon jammer attracts US Navy interest as roles expand." Flight International, 27 May 2011.
- ^ 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.
