50.59 (+0.76) 
Date posted: 03/19/2009*
U.S. Air Force accepts first delivery of Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy
Raytheon delivered to the U.S. Air Force the first production unit of a new system that fools enemy radars. The new system will save the lives of aircrew and reduce the likelihood of aircraft being shot down.
The Miniature Air Launched Decoy – known as the MALD™ – is an expendable air-launched flight vehicle that looks like a U.S. or allied aircraft to enemy integrated air defense systems (IADS). The U.S. and its allies can confuse and deceive enemy IADS by sending a formation of MALDs into hostile airspace.
MALD weighs less than 300 pounds, is about the length of two golf bags laid end-to-end, and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (575 statute miles). After it is launched from its host aircraft, MALD flies a preprogrammed mission.
Before Raytheon delivered MALD to the U.S. Air Force, manned aircraft were used to enter enemy airspace and confuse and deceive enemy IADS.
“The warfighter now has an incredible new capability thanks to the hard work of hundreds of Raytheon employees, suppliers, dedicated Air Force civil servants, uniformed service members and support personnel,” said Ken Watson, the U.S. Air Force’s MALD program manager. “MALD will work in concert with other electronic warfare assets as part of a system of systems to shape the electronic warfare battlespace and ensure our aviators and their coalition partners return home safely to their loved ones.”
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