AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system
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The AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system is an electronic countermeasure tool designed by
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
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
- Israeli Aerial Towed Decoy
References
- ^ "Raytheon repairs towed decoys for Super Hornets". Shepard News. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ Colman, Ron (2001). "AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System". Raytheon Electronic Systems. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Raytheon's ALE-50 "Little Buddy" Decoys". Defense Industry Daily.
- ^ 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.
- US Department of Defense. 22 April 2020. Archivedfrom the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ "Local Navy Contract Awards". Southern Maryland Online. 25 September 2014. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Raytheon Product Information Page
- ^ 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.