Raytheon ADM-160 MALD
Raytheon (originally Ryan Aeronautical) · United States · first flew 1999 · reconnaissance aircraft
The ADM-160 MALD (Miniature Air-Launched Decoy) is a small expendable turbojet-powered decoy designed to mimic the radar and infrared signatures of friendly aircraft, confusing enemy air-defence systems and forcing the expenditure of surface-to-air missiles on false targets.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 2.84 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 0 (unmanned) — air-launched miniature decoy missile
- MALD stands for Miniature Air-Launched Decoy; mimics aircraft radar signatures
- Carried in standard bomb bays, dispensed in large numbers to saturate enemy radar
A small finned body roughly resembling a cruise missile with folding wings; at 2.84 m long it is far smaller than a conventional aircraft, designed to be launched from internal bays or wing stations and never recovered.
Specifications
- The Raytheon ADM-160 MALD has a length of 2.84 m (9 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 1.7 m (6 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1110 km/h (690 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The programme originated with Ryan Aeronautical in the 1990s under DARPA funding before Raytheon took over development. Initial flight tests occurred in 1999. The MALD-J (jammer) variant added active electronic attack capability. The weapon entered USAF service in the 2000s and has been widely used in suppression of enemy air defences operations.
Variants
The ADM-160B is the baseline decoy; ADM-160C MALD-J adds active jamming; further increments improve programmability and signature fidelity.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the United States Air Force, primarily carried by B-52 Stratofortresses and F-16s for SEAD missions.
Related aircraft
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