ADM-160 MALD
Encyclopedia
The ADM-160 MALD is a decoy missile developed by the United States of America.
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. 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.
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.
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. In 2010 an "operationally significant quantity" of the drones were delivered to the Air Force. 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.
) 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 Sentry
AWACS. It completed its development program in 2002.
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.
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 GrummanNorthrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
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. 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.
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
B-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
to the F-117 Nighthawk
F-117 Nighthawk
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was a single-seat, twin-engine stealth ground-attack aircraft formerly operated by the United States Air Force . The F-117A's first flight was in 1981, and it achieved initial operating capability status in October 1983...
.
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. 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. In 2010 an "operationally significant quantity" of the drones were delivered to the Air Force. 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.
Variants
ADM-160A : Original decoy version developed by Teledyne Ryan (acquired by Northrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
) 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 Sentry
E-3 Sentry
The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force...
AWACS. It completed its development program in 2002.
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.
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 m)
- Endurance : Over 20 min
- Propulsion : Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-50 turbojet; 220 N (50 lbf) thrust
- Unit cost : US$30,000
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 m)
- Endurance : Over 45 min at altitude
- Propulsion : Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet
- Unit cost : US$120,000