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AN/ALE-55 | |
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Radar jamming and deception towed decoy | |
![]() AN/ALE-55 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy deployed | |
Project Name | IDECM |
Status | In Service |
Manufacturing Info | |
Manufacturer | BAE Systems Electronic Systems |
Introduced | 2004 |
No. Produced | >3,800 |
Specifications | |
Frequency Range | 1–35 GHz (29.98–0.86 cm) |
Usage | |
Used by Country | |
Used by Military | See Operators |
Used by Aircraft |
The AN/ALE-55 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy, or ALE-55, is an RF countermeasure system defending aircraft from radar-guided air-to-air and surface-to-air anti-aircraft missiles. The system was developed by BAE Systems Electronic Systems for the B-1B Lancer and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with over 3,800 units delivered before 2010. [1] [2] As part of the B-1B and F/A-18E/F's Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM), the ALE-55 is integrated with the aircraft's AN/ALQ-214 internally mounted receiver/processor/techniques generator. [2]
In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/ALE-55" designation represents the 55th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for countermeasures ejection equipment. The JETDS system is now also used to name all Department of Defense and some NATO electronic systems.
The ALE-55 is an electronic warfare towed device system designed to protect aircraft from radar-guided missile threats. The system consists of a launch controller, launcher, fiber-optic towed decoy (FOTD) and an electronic frequency converter (EFC) installed internally within the aircraft. [1] It is integrated with other electronic warfare systems onboard the aircraft to provide active radar jamming and deception using various defensive techniques. In addition, it can also be used in a backup mode as a signal repeater to lure incoming missiles away from their actual target. [3] It is currently in use with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, but can be adapted to a wide variety of platforms with minimal modification. [1] According to a report, [2] the unit cost of the ALE-55 was US$38,500 in 2007(equivalent to about $58,383 in 2024).
The ALE-55 provides three layers of defensive jamming against radar-based threats by preventing them from tracking, breaking radar lock-ons, and acting as an alternative target for incoming missiles. [3]
The ALE-55 system consists of four major components. An onboard electronic signal conditioning frequency converter, the EFC assembly, is mounted internally to the aircraft as is a launch controller. The launcher and multiple FOTDs are mounted externally. [3] [1] The onboard EFC analyzes characteristics of radar signals detected by other integrated electronic warfare systems, calculates an appropriate jamming and spoofing signal, then transmits tactical data to the FOTD through a fiber optic cable.
The FOTD has dual high power traveling-wave tubes (TWTs) [4] allowing for enough transmitted jamming power to protect even large aircraft. It is launched with a Raytheon manufactured Integrated Multi-Platform Launch Controller (IMPLC), which it shares with the towed AN/ALE-50 towed decoy. [5] A braking system on each FOTD allows for fast deployment. Once deployed, the FOTD is transmits at frequencies from 1 to 35 GHz (29.98 to 0.86 cm)