Raytheon’s ALE-50 “Little Buddy” Decoys

[dexter]

The ALE-50 Advanced Airborne Expendable Decoy (AAED) is a towed decoy that acts as a preferential target luring enemy radar-controlled missiles away by providing a much larger radarcross section than the aircraft.

It can be manually operated as a stand-alone device, or it can be integrated and controlled by the ALE-47.

Built by Raytheon Sensors and Electronic Systems of Goleta, Calif., the ALE-50, consists of a launcher/controller, an isolation rack, a decoy magazine and two expendable decoys. The F-16 can carry two ALE-50 pylons on outer under-wing stations.

The ALE-50 system consists of a towed decoy, launcher and launch controller. The decoy, together with its towline and payout reel, are packaged in a sealed canister, which maintains a ten-year shelf life. The decoy is deployed when required and cut free before landing.

The system requires no threat-specific software and communicates health and status to its host aircraft via a standard data bus.

The ALE-50 was first deployed on a USAF F-16.The F-16 uses the standard ALE-50 decoy and a platform-specific integrated launch controller mounted on a wing pylon.

More info on:
Raytheon’s ALE-50 “Little Buddy” Decoys

 

[TheFlyingPretzel]

This under-wing picture of an F-16 with the refuelling boom on that tanker in the background makes it an absolutely surreal mesh of metal and had my eyes strained trying to make sense of it.

 

[Oldman1]

This under-wing picture of an F/A-18 Hornet with the refuelling boom on that tanker in the background makes it an absolutely surreal mesh of metal and had my eyes strained trying to make sense of it.

Purple is hurting my eyes.

 

[waz]

Nice idea.

 

[gau8av]

how far out does the tow line extend ?

 

[Dillinger]

Nice idea.

Nothing new, the RAF's Typhoons have been operating with towed decoys for some while now, our own SEAD/DEAD upg. for the Sukhois involves the same type of system too.

 

[waz]

Nothing new, the RAF's Typhoons have been operating with towed decoys for some while now, our own SEAD/DEAD upg. for the Sukhois involves the same type of system too.

Yes, I should have been more specific. I was meant to say a good idea in general.

 

[Dillinger]

Yes, I should have been more specific. I was meant to say a good idea in general.

BRITECLOUD is even further up the evolutionary ladder, I believe the new Gripens have signed up for it.

 

[Informant]

This under-wing picture of an F/A-18 Hornet with the refuelling boom on that tanker in the background makes it an absolutely surreal mesh of metal and had my eyes strained trying to make sense of it.

What 18? All i see is the 16 and a tanker

 

[waz]

BRITECLOUD is even further up the evolutionary ladder, I believe the new Gripens have signed up for it.

Yes the Selex project looks impressive, and deployed from a standard canister.

 

[Dillinger]

Yes the Selex project looks impressive, and deployed from a standard canister.

Although getting rid of the regular/boring chaff and flares isn't a good idea either, flares specifically since IR missiles (WVR and SHORAD) are still a threat. BRTIECLOUD fits in in place of the regular dispensers since the current designs do not have real estate allocated for both.

 

[C130]

when will Fighter Jets learn Kage Bunshin No Jutsu?