Recently, the Russian side showed the wreckage of the ADM-160 small air-launched decoy (MALD).
This is the second time that the wreckage of the ADM-160 has appeared since Ukraine began using the Storm Shadow and Scalp-EG cruise missiles. Previously, the only known use of MALD by Ukraine was in May last year, when it became clear that Storm Shadow cruise missiles were being used.
This article is a column article on "The Drive" ** War Zone in the United States, written by Tyler Rogoway, translated and edited by me to share with you.
ADM-160 Mald in flight.
The ADM-160 is launched by aircraft and is used to stimulate, confuse and distract enemy air defense. This is a small ** similar to a cruise missile, which can be programmed to plan a flight path and hover over the target area, which is very effective as a protection against other aircraft and missiles involved in the operation from enemy air defense systems. The ADM-160 has a range of almost 960 kilometers, which is already much more than the range of the Storm Shadow and Scalp-EG cruise missiles, which helps to attract the attention of air defense systems during a critical window when a missile or aircraft passes through a certain area. The ADM-160 weighs less than 136 kg and can simulate the radar signatures of various aircraft and missiles, and the more advanced MALDs (such as MALD-X, MALD-J and MALD-N) are equipped only with the US military, which have active electronic warfare equipment and are more capable.
Storm Shadow "cruise missile.
For Ukraine, it is widely believed that they were launched together with the "Storm Shadow" and "Scalp-EG" (almost identical cruise missiles) in order to better ensure the survivability of these precious **. Despite the fact that the "Storm Shadow" and "Scalp-EG" have taken the ** design, they will be detected by air defense systems in some cases and can be shot down.
The B-52H bomber mounts the ADM-160 Mald.
As the only user of the ADM-160, the supply of the MALD by the United States to Ukraine has never been officially reported, which may be a secret clause for the supply of the United Kingdom to Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles. On the front line densely populated with the most advanced Russian air defense systems, the launch of the MALD not only contributes to the attack of cruise missiles, but also provides the actual combat performance of the MALD on the high-intensity battlefield, which is very valuable data. As with any ** technology, including Storm Shadow, there is no less risk of ADM-160 falling into Russian hands.
The US military is carrying the ADM-160 Mald.
At the moment, it is not known which aircraft launched the MALD, there are rumors that the MiG-29 can launch such a decoy, but this has not yet been confirmed. Having a fighter launch a MALD to assist in covering a cruise missile attack is relatively simple from a technical point of view, as all the data is loaded into the MALD before launch. Currently, the Su-24 fighter-bombers of the Ukrainian Air Force are used to launch cruise missiles "Storm Shadow" and "Scalp-EG".
Interestingly, we have not seen ** of such air-launched decoys for more than six months, but considering that they are often shot down by air defense systems while working, it is not surprising that its wreckage is rarely seen.