Free flight demonstrations in MALD-X project complete
NewsAugust 23, 2018
WASHINGTON. A Department of Defense (DoD) team including the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), with Air Force Miniature Air Launch Decoy (MALD) Program Office, and Naval Air Warfare Center Point Mugu completed a series of free flight demonstration under the MALD-X project this month.
The MALD-X project seeks to demonstrate operational effectiveness and tactical advantage provided by large numbers of collaborative, expendable platforms highlighted with the completion of a complex free flight demonstration of advanced electronic warfare techniques.
"The rapid development and demonstration was made possible by the cross-service technical collaboration between the Air Force and Navy," says Chris Shank, SCO Director. "The MALD-X is handing over to the Navy to complete system development and transition to an operational capability. The superb cross-service technical teamwork is an exemplar for future innovative projects."
MALD-X's modularity allows the Navy to rapidly inject adaptive payloads and capabilities into as yet unknown future mission sets. The MALD-X program is continuing to pursue multiple enhancements for the vehicle that would provide additional mission sets that will be demonstrated next year.
“MALD-X gives future warfighters the ability to focus on the nature of the emerging threats rather than being encumbered by the burden associated with making a system interact with mission elements and mission supporting actions," says Matthew O’Connell, MALD-X Program Manager.
