U.S. Navy and Raytheon start integrating MALD-Js into Super Hornets
NewsJuly 06, 2012
Alice Moss
Military Embedded Systems
Raytheon Company’s Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer (MALD-J) flight vehicle weapons recently started down their U.S. Navy F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fleet integration path. Included in the integration are technology demonstrations in addition to risk-reduction activities.
The low-cost, programmable, air-launched MALD tips the scale at fewer than 300 lbs and boasts a 500 nautical mile range, which translates to approximately 575 statute miles. MALD works by duplicating radar signatures and friendly aircraft flight profiles to confuse enemy air defense strategies. The only difference between MALD and MALD-J is the latter’s ability to jam radar.
Raytheon and the Navy are presently working to ensure that MALD-J can successfully undertake aircraft carrier landing and takeoff maneuvers’ rigors.
MALD’s modularity is key to its effectiveness, allowing sailors to alter MALD’s Electronic Warfare (EW) payload quickly when needed in a threat response.
Raytheon’s delivery of MALD-Js is slated to commence later this year, the company reports.
