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.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool]()
Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool
Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
