AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system

Last updated

ALE-50 towed decoy system in the upper part of an F-16 Falcon wing pylon F-16CM 2030 Turku Airshow 2015 04 pylon.JPG
ALE-50 towed decoy system in the upper part of an F-16 Falcon wing pylon

The AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system is an electronic countermeasure tool designed by Raytheon to protect multiple US military aircraft from air-to-air and surface-to-air radar-guided missiles. [1] The AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system is an anti-missile countermeasures decoy system used on U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft, and by certain non-United States air forces. The system is manufactured by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems at its facility in Goleta, California. The ALE-50 system consists of a launcher and launch controller installed on the aircraft (usually on a wing pylon), and one or more expendable towed decoys. Each decoy is delivered in a sealed canister and has a ten-year shelf life. [2]

Contents

When deployed, the decoy is towed behind the host aircraft, protecting the aircraft and its crew against RF-guided missiles by luring the missile toward the decoy and away from the intended target. In both flight tests and actual combat, the ALE-50 has successfully countered numerous live firings of both surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. U.S. military pilots have nicknamed the decoy "Little Buddy". [3] The system requires no threat-specific software, and communicates its health and status to the aircraft over a standard data bus. [4]

Operational history

The ALE-50 was first deployed in 1995, but is also used on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the B-1B Lancer. [5] The ALE-50 has also been integrated into the next-generation ALQ-184(V)9 ECM pod, creating an integrated threat-protection system that can be carried on a larger number of platforms.

The ALE-50 expendable decoys' estimated value is $22,000 each. A production run of 1,048 units were delivered through October 2010. [3] An additional 226 units of ALE-50 Bravo T3F launchers were produced for U.S. Navy F/A-18 E/F aircraft in September 2014. [6]

The ALE-50 towed decoy is currently operational on the F-16, F/A-18E/F, and B-1B aircraft with more than 25,000 deliveries. [7] [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile(AMRAAM) (pronounced AM-ram /æmɹæm/), is an American beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. It uses active transmit-receive radar guidance instead of semi-active receive-only radar guidance. When an AMRAAM missile is launched, NATO pilots use the brevity code "Fox Three".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AIM-54 Phoenix</span> American long range BVR air-to-air missile

The AIM-54 Phoenix is an American radar-guided, long-range air-to-air missile (AAM), carried in clusters of up to six missiles on the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, its only operational launch platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-ship missile</span> Missile used to attack ships

An anti-ship missile (AShM) is a guided missile that is designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea skimming variety, and many use a combination of inertial guidance and active radar homing. A large number of other anti-ship missiles use infrared homing to follow the heat that is emitted by a ship; it is also possible for anti-ship missiles to be guided by radio command all the way.

<i>Halifax</i>-class frigate Class of Canadian frigates

The Halifax-class frigate, also referred to as the City class, is a class of multi-role patrol frigates that have served the Royal Canadian Navy since 1992. The class is the outcome of the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project, which dates to the mid-1970s. HMCS Halifax was the first of an eventual twelve Canadian-designed and Canadian-built vessels which combine traditional anti-submarine capabilities with systems to deal with surface and air threats as well. All ships of the class are named after the capital cities most of the Canadian provinces plus the capital of Canada, Ottawa as well as the major cities of Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet</span> Series of carrier-based multirole combat aircraft

The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are a series of American supersonic twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft derived from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, in service with the armed forces of the U.S., Australia, and Kuwait. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced versions of the F/A-18C and D Hornet, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electronic countermeasure</span> Electronic device for deceiving detection systems

An electronic countermeasure (ECM) is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar, or other detection systems, like infrared (IR) or lasers. It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting information to an enemy. The system may make many separate targets appear to the enemy, or make the real target appear to disappear or move about randomly. It is used effectively to protect aircraft from guided missiles. Most air forces use ECM to protect their aircraft from attack. It has also been deployed by military ships and recently on some advanced tanks to fool laser/IR guided missiles. It is frequently coupled with stealth advances so that the ECM systems have an easier job. Offensive ECM often takes the form of jamming. Self-protecting (defensive) ECM includes using blip enhancement and jamming of missile terminal homers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radar warning receiver</span> Warns of radar signals that might be a threat

Radar warning receiver (RWR) systems detect the radio emissions of radar systems. Their primary purpose is to issue a warning when a radar signal that might be a threat is detected, like a fighter aircraft's fire control radar. The warning can then be used, manually or automatically, to evade the detected threat. RWR systems can be installed in all kind of airborne, sea-based, and ground-based assets such as aircraft, ships, automobiles, military bases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ADM-160 MALD</span> US decoy missile

The ADM-160 MALD 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.

The AN/APG-65 and AN/APG-73 are designations for a family of all-weather multimode airborne radar systems designed by Hughes Aircraft for the F/A-18 Hornet, and used on a variety of fighter aircraft types. The APG-79 is an upgraded AESA version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/APG-79</span> Radar system

The AN/APG-79 is a type of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that was developed for use on the United States Navy's Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft. The radar's AESA technology provides quick updates on multiple targets, and its solid-state antenna construction makes it more reliable and cost-effective than traditional radar systems. The radar has a range of up to 150 km and can track multiple targets simultaneously. It is capable of firing weapons such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM's D model and guiding multiple missiles to targets located at varying distances and directions. As of July 2008, 100 APG-79 sets had been delivered to the United States Navy, and the Navy expects to order around 437 production radars. In January 2013, the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) disclosed some issues with the APG-79 radar during its initial operational testing, but upgrades have been made over time. The APG-79 has been selected for retrofitting the F/A-18 C/D and upgrading the fleets of F/A-18 fighters in Malaysia and the United States Marine Corps.

The AN/ALR-67 radar warning receiver is designed to warn an aircraft's crew of potentially hostile radar activity. It is an airborne threat warning and countermeasures control system built to be successor to the United States Navy's AN/ALR-45. Northrop Grumman Corporation's Electronic Systems sector was the main contractor for the AN/ALR-67(V) and (V)2. Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems was the main contractor for the AN/ALR-67(V)3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infrared countermeasure</span> Device designed to protect aircraft from infrared homing missiles

An infrared countermeasure (IRCM) is a device designed to protect aircraft from infrared homing missiles by confusing the missiles' infrared guidance system so that they miss their target. Heat-seeking missiles were responsible for about 80% of air losses in Operation Desert Storm. The most common method of infrared countermeasure is deploying flares, as the heat produced by the flares creates hundreds of targets for the missile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/ALE-55 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy</span> Countermeasure from radar guided missiles

The AN/ALE-55 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy, or ALE-55, is an RF countermeasure under development by BAE Systems Electronic Solutions for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flare (countermeasure)</span> Aerial defence against heat-seeking missiles

A flare or decoy flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure used by an aircraft to counter an infrared homing ("heat-seeking") surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile. Flares are commonly composed of a pyrotechnic composition based on magnesium or another hot-burning metal, with burning temperature equal to or hotter than engine exhaust. The aim is to make the infrared-guided missile seek out the heat signature from the flare rather than the aircraft's engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/SPY-6</span> Active electronically scanned array radar

The AN/SPY-6 is an active electronically scanned array 3D radar under development for the United States Navy (USN). It will provide integrated air and missile defense for Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Variants are under development for retrofitting Flight IIA Arleigh Burkes and for installation aboard Constellation-class frigates, Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, America-class amphibious assault ships, and San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AGM-158C LRASM</span> Stealthy anti-ship cruise missile

The AGM-158C LRASM is a stealth air launch anti-ship cruise missile developed for the United States Air Force and United States Navy by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Derived from the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, the LRASM was intended to pioneer more sophisticated autonomous targeting capabilities than the U.S. Navy's current Harpoon anti-ship missile, which has been in service since 1977.

The AN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System is used to protect military aircraft from incoming radar and infrared homing missiles. It works by dispensing flares or chaff. It is used on a variety of U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army aircraft, as well as in other militaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BriteCloud</span> Digital Radio Frequency Memory jammer

BriteCloud is a self-contained expendable Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) jammer developed by Selex ES to help protect military aircraft. The decoy was launched by Selex ES at a conference held at the Churchill War Rooms, London on 6 November 2013.

Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) is a sensor network with integrated fire control capability that is intended to significantly improve battle force air and missile defense capabilities by combining data from multiple battle force air search sensors on CEC-equipped units into a single, real-time, composite track picture. This will greatly enhance fleet air defense by making jamming more difficult and allocating defensive missiles on a battle group basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raytheon Coyote</span> Type of aircraft

The Raytheon Coyote is a small, expendable, unmanned aircraft system built by the Raytheon Company, with the capability of operating in autonomous swarms. It is launched from a sonobuoy canister with the wings deploying in early flight phase.

References

  1. "Raytheon repairs towed decoys for Super Hornets". Shepard News . 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  2. Colman, Ron (2001). "AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System". Raytheon Electronic Systems . Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Raytheon's ALE-50 "Little Buddy" Decoys". Defense Industry Daily.
  4. A.K., Trikha (March 2012). "Electronic Warfare - Countering Missile Threats". SP's Aviation . Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  5. "Contracts". US Department of Defense . 22 April 2020. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  6. "Local Navy Contract Awards". Southern Maryland Online . 25 September 2014. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  7. Raytheon Product Information Page
  8. Keller, John (14 June 2019). "Raytheon to demonstrate electronic warfare (EW) towed decoy aircraft protection from radar-guided missiles". Military Aerospace Electronics . Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.