ADM-160 MALD

摘要

The ADM-160 MALD (Mniature Air-Launched Decoy) is a lightweight, actively emitting decoy released from combat aircraft to confuse hostile air defense radars. Although started by the USAF in 1994, the program subsequently was run for a time as an advanced technology concept demonstration by DARPA after 1995. Teledyne Ryan (now part of Northrop Grumman) was selected as the prime contractor for the ATCD in October 1996 in competition with Northrop Grumman and two other competitors. A development decision was postponed in early 1999. The program transitioned back to the Air Force in FY01 but in January 2002, the Air Force abruptly ended the program due to a lack of funds. However, the Air Force also stated that the program was not cancelled, and reopened the program in 2002 seeking bids for a new, larger design. In May 2003, the Air Force selected Raytheon to proceed with the amended program. The Air Force planned to acquire about 1,500 MALD with low rate initial production funding starting in FY08. The first ADM-160B MALD was delivered in February 2009 and it entered service in March 2010.