Ukraine received false air targets ADM-160B MALD
A large fragment of the ADM-160B product in Luhansk, May 12, 2023. Photo by Telegram / Poddubny
Foreign patrons donate not only weapons to Ukrainian formations, but also auxiliary means. So, a few days ago, the transfer of Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles was officially announced, and soon it became known that ADM-160B MALD false air targets were used with them. With the help of the latter, the enemy is trying to increase the likelihood of a breakthrough of our air defense.
Secret deliveries
Foreign countries, primarily the United States and Great Britain, are actively supplying Ukraine with various weapons, equipment and ammunition. However, not all details of such assistance are published openly. Often, only the class of the shipped product is reported without its designation, quantity, etc. In addition, some deliveries were not announced at all, and they became known only after the use of the transferred products.
In early December, the Pentagon announced the allocation of another $275 million aid package to Ukraine. Along with other products, it included some “counter air defense capability”. What exactly was meant by this was not specified. However, it seems that now the situation has cleared up, and these "opportunities" have made themselves felt.
A few days ago, foreign media, and then the British Ministry of Defense, reported on the transfer of the Storm Shadow ALCM to the Kyiv regime. May 12 is already weapon first applied; the target was one of the facilities in Lugansk. However, this action cannot be called successful. The missile broke through to the target, but its Su-24 carrier aircraft and the accompanying fighter were found and destroyed after launch.
On the same day, fragments of another product used by the enemy during the strike were found in Lugansk. Judging by their condition, the product was shot down by anti-aircraft weapons. Despite the damage, an information plate marked "ADM-160B" was preserved at the facility. This index belongs to the American-designed decoy air target, also known as the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD).
Thus, the Kiev regime receives from the United States not only aviation weapons, but also auxiliary means. With the help of ADM-160B products, it is proposed to increase the load on Russian air defense, increasing the likelihood of real missiles breaking through to their intended targets. At the same time, the real indicators of such a tool in the current situation remain unknown.
current generation
Specialized decoy missiles of various types have been in service with US military aviation over the past few decades and are used in various operations. The development of another sample of this kind, designated as Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD), started in 2002. Several leading companies in the military industry have joined the program.
In May 2003, the Pentagon chose the winner of the competitive part - Raytheon received a contract for further development. Her project received the ZADM-160B index. Designing a false target was completed by the middle of the decade, and in 2005-2006. various tests began. So, in October 2006, the first drop of an experimental MALD product from an F-16 aircraft took place. Subsequent events took about a year and a half.
As a result of the tests, in mid-2008, Raytheon received a contract to launch mass production "at a slow pace." Beginning in March next year, the contractor was to deliver 300 missiles. In 2010-11 the products of these batches passed additional tests, which showed the need to refine the production technology. Because of this, production was expanded at a slow pace for the next two batches. Only after that, in the first half of the tenth years, was it allowed to launch a full-scale series. Already in 2014, Raytheon announced the transfer of the thousandth ADM-160B product to the customer.
Experienced products MALD. Raytheon Photos
Shortly thereafter, a new modification of the false target called MALD-J, which was distinguished by the possibility of installing a jamming station, went into the series. In recent years, preparations have been made for the release of the next modification of the ADM-160X MALD-X. In this project, the modular payload architecture was retained, but all the main characteristics were improved.
false air target
The ADM-160 MALD product in all modifications is actually an aviation cruise missile. It differs from military weapons in the use of a special payload in the form of jamming equipment - active or passive, depending on the modification and execution.
The decoy is built in a 2,85 m long fuselage with a square cross section. There is a deployable wing with a span of 1,7 m. The launch weight is approx. 110 kg. The head part of the fuselage contains the module responsible for jamming. Behind it are the hardware compartment, fuel tanks, etc. A turbojet engine is placed in the tail.
The rocket is equipped with a Sundstrand TJ-150 engine. With its help, a maximum speed of up to 0,91 M is achieved. The maximum flight altitude is more than 12 km. Range - approx. 920 km with a flight duration of approx. 45 min.
ADM-160B has an autopilot that performs a pre-set flight program. Using satellite navigation, he guides the product along a given route. Depending on various factors, the flight can take place in a straight line or with maneuvering or loitering in a given area.
ADM-160B on a B-52H bomber. Raytheon Photos
Several target loads have been developed for MALD of various modifications. The basic version of the ADM-160B carries a modular passive radar reflector. According to available data, there are several variants of such a device that allow simulating different weapons and air targets. A small-sized jamming station was developed for MALD-J. In this case, the missile not only interferes with the radar, but also suppresses them.
According to known data, ADM-160B products are compatible with various carriers from the tactical and strategic aviation of the US Air Force. Decoys are suspended on standard holders, one or more, and must be launched together (or at intervals) with live missiles - depending on the characteristics of the weapon. As is now known, MALD was also installed on front-line Soviet-style aircraft. Probably, their new carrier, as in the case of the Storm Shadow ALCM, was the modified Su-24 bombers.
Several applications of MALD have been proposed with different effects. So, a false target can simply fly to a given area and divert air defense to itself, reducing the risks for a real missile. In addition, combat and auxiliary means can fly side by side, making it difficult to identify them, as well as interfering with the tracking and destruction of the missile. Modifications MALD-J / X, in turn, use the principle of suppression, also interfering with tracking and hitting air targets.
Additional Threat
The appearance of new foreign cruise missiles for military aviation in the enemy's hands requires appropriate measures to be taken. At the same time, along with strike weapons, Ukrainian formations received auxiliary means designed to increase the effectiveness of combat work. And a few days ago, for the first time, our air defense had to deal with a bunch of Storm Shadow and ADM-120B products.
As the enemy intended, our air defense systems detected and shot down the false MALD, while the real missile was able to break through to its target. This shows that with proper use - as well as with an element of surprise - such a strike complex is capable of solving the tasks.
MALD product in flight. Raytheon Photos
However, the joy of the Ukrainian side did not last long. Shortly after the launch of Storm Shadow, her carrier and cover fighter were shot down. In addition, the Russian Defense Ministry is already reporting a successful interception of the cruise missiles themselves. Several main conclusions can be drawn from this situation.
First of all, you need to remember that the surprise effect works and gives the desired result only once. On May 12, the enemy managed to deceive our air defense and lead their missile to the target. But this episode was analyzed and the necessary measures were taken. It is now to be expected that reports of British missile strikes will become regular.
The actual role and effectiveness of the ADM-160B decoys in the recent attack is unknown. For obvious reasons, this information will not be published for a long time. However, it is obvious that now the Russian air defense knows the signature of such objects and is preparing for their new use. Anti-aircraft missiles will no longer waste time on them, and they will be able to focus on other air targets.
Foreign recognition
Thus, foreign partners are sending the Kyiv regime not only aviation weapons, but also auxiliary means for its effective use. This fact shows their readiness to continue supporting Ukraine and the possibility of expanding the range of supplies.
In addition, the transfer of ADM-160B decoy missiles indicates some doubts about the ability of the supplied weapons to solve problems in the current situation. It seems that abroad they have assessed the potential of Russian air defense and realized that it is capable of fighting even modern low-profile missiles. The MALD products were an attempt to salvage Storm Shadow missiles and their reputation. How successful it will be will become clear in the near future.
Information