Data link-equipped MALD-J flies for the first time
A Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer (MALD-J) equipped with a radio data link has been flown for the first time during a flight test conducted by a US Marine Corps, US Air Force and Raytheon team. The data-link expands the weapon’s situational awareness and allows for in-flight targeting adjustments.
The flight test was conducted as part of a Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor exercise at the US Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma. The exercise used the USMC's recently released Electronic Warfare Services Architecture protocol and a Tactical Targeting Network Technology radio.
MALD-J carried out its assigned radar jamming mission on the range and was able to send situation awareness data to the EW Battle Manager (EWBM). The EWBM used this information to adjust the MALD's mission while in flight.
Mike Jarrett, vice president of air warfare systems, Raytheon Missile Systems, said: ‘This flight test shows MALD-J's ability to integrate new technology that will provide the warfighter more capabilities on the battlefield. The marines are operationalising the Marine Air Ground Task Force Cyberspace and Electronic Warfare Coordination Cell and Raytheon is part of this forward-thinking solution to a complex problem.’
MALD-J is a jammer variant of MALD, an air-launched and programmable flight vehicle with a range of approximately 500 nautical miles. The weapon is designed to protect aircraft by duplicating the combat flight profiles and signatures of US and allied aircraft.
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