Американская ракета-приманка MALD: разработка, испытания и применение

US decoy missile

The ADM 160 MALD (Miniature Air Launched Decoy) is an air launched, expendable decoy missile developed by the United States. It uses gradient index optics to create a radar cross section that simulates allies' airplane, in order to stimulate, confuse, and degrade the capability of missile defense systems. Later variants (MALD J) are additionally equipped with electronic countermeasures to actively jam early warning and target acquisition radars. 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 predetermined course which is composed of up to 100 different waypoints. An inertial navigation system with GPS support keeps the MALD on course. Although preprogrammed before the aircraft leaves the ground, the course can be modified by the pilot at any point up to launch.

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. In 2010 an "operationally significant quantity" of the drones were delivered to the Air Force. 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. 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. In April 2015, the MALD J completed operational testing, satisfying all requirements in 42 flight tests over the last two years. 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. The company has also explored integration onto the smaller MQ 1 Predator and U. S. Army MQ 1C Gray Eagle. 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. The Air Force has cleared the B model MALD for export. In December 2014, a MALD J was test flown with a radio datalink 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. 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% 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 was first incorporated into Lot 7 production models in 2015, from the contract awarded in June 2014.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center will place an order for the MALD J. Systems integration has been announced as of July 6, 2012, by the Raytheon Corp. for the U. S. Navy's F/A 18E/F Super Hornet. The process included a series of risk reduction activities and technology demonstrations. On 9 September 2015, Raytheon and the Naval Research Lab announced they had demonstrated a new rapid replacement, modular architecture for the MALD J for electronic warfare payloads. Four payloads, each customized for a specific mission and threat, were demonstrated in twelve captive carry flights; the payloads could be swapped out of a captive carry vehicle in less than one minute. In July 2016, Raytheon received a contract to develop an evolution of the MALD J called the MALD X, incorporating an improved electronic warfare payload, the ability to fly at low altitude, and an enhanced net enabled data link. The company hopes to transition the MALD X into the MALD N for the U. S. Navy.