USN to launch MALD-N production
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is to launch production of the Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy – Navy (MALD-N), with a notification for an impending sole-source award posted on 10 March.
The MALD-N decoy jammer for the US Navy is based on the MALD-J (pictured) already in service with the US Air Force. (US Air Force)
The notification on the beta.sam.gov website states that NAVAIR is to issue a cost plus incentive-fee contract to Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) for the commencement of low-rate initial production (LRIP) for the naval derivative of the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) ADM-160C MALD-Jammer (MALD-J) system.
No potential contract value, timeline, or MALD-N numbers were disclosed, although Jane’s has previously reported that the first LRIP contracts for 250 MALD-N systems is expected to be placed in fiscal year (FY) 2021 and 2022.
In its baseline form, the MALD system is designed to mimic the radar and flight signature of a manned fighter or bomber, thereby confusing enemy air-defence systems. The MALD-J provides for an additional electronic warfare capability to actively jam enemy air defences, and is the basis for the US Navy’s (USN’s) MALD-N derivative.
As previously related to Jane’s by RMS officials, the MALD-J has an operational range of about 900 km after launch, with its flight characteristics able to be pre-programmed to better represent a particular manned type. Its single Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet engine powers it to a surge speed of Mach 0.9 or an endurance speed of about Mach 0.6.
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