Electronic Weapons: June 21, 2003

Archives

Despite the low losses to enemy air defenses in the last two decades, you can't afford to get complacent. So the U.S. Air Force has completed a competition between several aerospace companies and has issued an $88 million dollar development contract for a new powered decoy. The new MALD (miniature air-launched decoy) design is 9.5 feet long, and has pop-out wings that give it a five foot wingspan. The 200 pound MALD is powered by a small turbojet engine and can fly up to Mach .93 (1000 kilometers an hour) for 45 minutes at 35,000 feet or 20 minutes at 3,000 feet. It can be programmed to fly a specific course to try and get enemy air defenses to open up, so they can be spotted and destroyed. MALDs can also be used in swarms to overwhelm enemy air defenses. Testing and development will begin this year and the MALD should be ready for service by 2007. Each will cost about $125,000.

X

ad

Help Keep StrategyPage Open

First came Facebook, then came Twitter, and finally, AI has arrived. They have all caused a decline in our business, but AI may be the deadliest innovation. We are currently in survival mode. Our writers and staff receive no payment in some months, and even when they do, it is below the minimum wage for their efforts. You can support us with your donations or subscriptions. Please help us keep our doors open.

Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on X.

Subscribe   Donate   Close