Ramon Lopez/ORLANDO
The UK and US Governments are in discussions over a potential memorandum of understanding for UK participation in the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) programme.
US industry officials say that the UK is expected to join the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) programme by mid-1998. The UK Ministry of Defence will say only that it is involved in MALD talks and that it continues to track the suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) project.
As a MALD participant, the UK would be able to direct the research towards fulfilling its potential military needs in return for sharing research costs.
Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical is working under a $24.4 million contract to develop and test the MALD. The target unit price for the decoy is $30,000.
As part of the contract, Teledyne Ryan will deliver 42 MALDs, beginning in late March or early April, for contractor flight tests set to start in May. Government flight testing will take place in 1999. A parachute recovery system will be used in the flights.
When air launched, the MALD would simulate the mission profile of various combat aircraft. The Signature Augmentation Subsystem provided by Northrop Grumman is designed to replicate tactical aircraft when "painted" by enemy radars. The MALD is powered by the 0.2kN (50lb)-thrust Sundstrand TJ-50 turbojet engine developed in DARPA's Small Engine Advanced Programme.
Anthony Richards, Teledyne Ryan vice-president for business development, says that the MALD programme is on track and the $30,000 target price is achievable. Potential sales to the US military total 3,000 units, and foreign military sales could double the production run.
The US Navy is now buying the much-larger Improved Tactical Air-Launched Decoy which is made by Israeli Military Industries and powered by a TRA powerplant. On 3 March, the USN awarded the Israelis a $14 million contract for 110 units. Richards believes that the MALD can also be made into a jammer, a low cost expendable target and a deep-strike weapon by adding a warhead.
Source: Flight International