Foils enemy air defense systems

The Miniature Air-Launched Decoy, or MALD® decoy, is a low-cost, expendable, air-launched craft that deceives the most advanced enemy integrated air defense systems while keeping pilots and aircraft out of harm’s way. The programmable weapon duplicates the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft.

How it works

Operators send a formation of the MALD decoys into hostile airspace. The flexible, modular systems fly a preprogrammed mission that protects allied aircraft while confusing enemy integrated air defense systems. Each craft weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of around 500 nautical miles. 

MALD-J decoy

The MALD-J decoy is the jammer variant of the basic decoy and the first ever stand-in jammer to enter production. The unmanned system can operate alone or in pairs, and moves much closer to the victim radar than conventional electronic warfare when jamming electronics. It’s able to loiter in the target area, allowing plenty of time to complete the mission. 


Early MALD® decoys were readied for flight tests during the program’s development phase.
Early MALD® decoys were readied for flight tests during the program’s development phase.
The MALD decoy is an expendable, air-launched flight vehicle that looks like a U.S. or allied aircraft to enemy integrated air defense systems.
The MALD decoy is an expendable, air-launched flight vehicle that looks like a U.S. or allied aircraft to enemy integrated air defense systems.
The MALD-J decoy is the jammer variant of the basic decoy, and the first ever stand-in jammer to enter production.
The MALD-J decoy is the jammer variant of the basic decoy, and the first ever stand-in jammer to enter production.
The MALD decoy is a low-cost, air-launched programmable craft that accurately duplicates the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft.
The MALD decoy is a low-cost, air-launched programmable craft that accurately duplicates the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft.
The MALD decoy is a flexible, modular system that has the potential to keep aviators and aircraft out of harm’s way.
The MALD decoy is a flexible, modular system that has the potential to keep aviators and aircraft out of harm’s way.
The MALD decoy weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles.
The MALD decoy weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles.