Raytheon Wins $118 Million For Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer Vehicles Contract

Raytheon has been awarded $118 million contract for Lot 9 Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer  (MALD-J) vehicles and support equipment.

Work is expected to be complete by June 30, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2016 procurement; and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $118 million are being obligated at the time of award, US Department of defense said in a statement Wednesday.

The Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD®) is a low-cost, air-launched programmable craft that accurately duplicates the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft.

MALD is an expendable air-launched flight vehicle that looks like a U.S. or allied aircraft to enemy integrated air defense systems (IADS).

MALD-J is the jammer variant of the basic decoy, and the first ever stand-in jammer to enter production. The unmanned MALD-J navigates and operates much closer than conventional EW to the victim radar when jamming the electronics, allowing aviators and aircraft to stay out of harm’s way. And, it is able to loiter in the target area for an extended time period – plenty of time to complete the mission.

MALD-J can operate alone or in pairs, but is designed to work with and leverage other electronic warfare platforms.