Lack of results: Ukrainian Air Force ADM-160B MALD decoys
ADM-160B decoys under the wing of a B-52H bomber. Photo by Raytheon
Last year, the United States provided Ukraine with a number of decoy air targets of the ADM-160B MALD type. These products are designed to distract enemy air defenses and expose their positions. Later it became clear that although decoys can indeed attract the attention of air defense, they do not cope with their main task - protecting cruise missiles and providing aviation strokes.
Secret delivery
The United States has not officially announced the delivery of ADM-160B MALD decoys to Ukraine. The appearance of such products in the Ukrainian Air Force became known only after an attempt to use them in an air strike.
However, there were hints about the possibility of such a delivery. So, in December 2022, the Pentagon drew up a new package of military-technical assistance to Kyiv. The list of materiel with a total value of $275 million included some “Counter air defense capability”, without specifying what exactly was meant.
It later became known that the US was planning to set up decoy MALD targets. In the first months of 2023, the Pentagon prepared a batch of these products and sent them to Ukraine. However, the exact delivery time and batch size still remain unknown.
Carrier aircraft were also trained in secret. The ADM-160B was “integrated” onto Su-24 bombers in a makeshift manner. It is likely that it was not possible to preserve all the original functions that standard carriers have in the form of NATO aircraft.
Experience of application
At the beginning of May 2023, it became known that Ukraine received Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG cruise missiles from Great Britain and France. They were going to be used to attack Russian targets.
MALD product in flight. Raytheon Photos
Already on May 12, the Ukrainian Air Force first tried to use these missiles. One of them was able to reach the target in Lugansk, and the rest were shot down by Russian air defense. Our anti-aircraft gunners also shot down a Ukrainian bomber.
After this attack, wreckage of an aircraft was discovered in Lugansk with signs of being hit by anti-aircraft fire. weapons. Based on the markings, it became clear that it was an ADM-160B decoy air target. Subsequently, similar debris was repeatedly found in different areas of the Special Operation zone and in our rear. In all cases, the fallen MALDs showed signs of being hit by anti-aircraft fire, mainly anti-aircraft missiles.
According to reports, the Ukrainian Air Force regularly used ADM-160B products to accompany and “protect” imported cruise missiles. The exact number of air targets used is unknown. However, such information could tell a lot about the effectiveness of such products.
According to the Ministry of Defense
Our air defense successfully shoots down MALD decoys, as well as the missiles they cover. It is curious that during the first few months, such episodes, for unknown reasons, did not appear in the reports of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Perhaps decoys were not considered worthy of mention in such reports.
The ADM-160B product was first included in an official report on January 12, 2024. It was alleged that over the previous week our fighters and air defense systems shot down two such targets. It is interesting that in this and subsequent reports the decoy air targets were called aircraft guided missiles.
The next mention of MALD is on March 24th. According to the Ministry of Defense, over the previous day, four such products were shot down by the Aerospace Forces and Air Defense Forces. Also destroyed were 11 Storm Shadow and 3 Neptune missiles.
A fragment of a MALD product in Lugansk, May 2023. Photo Telegram / “Poddubny”
In the report dated April 16, among other targets hit, 4 units were named. MALD. This time they were called in accordance with the original nomenclature - decoys. Also destroyed were 6 Storm Shadow aircraft missiles and 2 units. AGM-88 HARM.
The last mention of the ADM-160B took place on June 30. In the previous day, 3 such products were intercepted. You also need to pay attention to the destruction of 2 Neptune-MD missiles.
Since the end of June, American-made decoys have not appeared in Department of Defense reports. There are also no similar messages on unofficial resources. Apparently, the enemy has not used such products in recent weeks.
Material part
Development of the MALD (Miniature Air-Launched Decoy) decoy began in 2002. Design work was completed in the middle of the decade, and testing began in 2006. The first production contract was awarded in 2008.
Design flaws delayed the launch of production, which meant the Pentagon only received the first ADM-160B units in the early XNUMXs. However, production quickly picked up the pace and fulfilled the order. military departments.
The MALD decoy is essentially a cruise missile with a special payload. Externally, it is similar to combat missiles and has an elongated fuselage with a folding wing. Product length - 2,85 m, wingspan - 1,7 m. Launch weight - 110 kg.
The product is equipped with a Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet engine, which allows it to reach a maximum speed of 0,8 M or a cruising speed of 0,6 M. The flight range is at least 900 km with a duration of approx. 45 min.
To control the flight, an autopilot with the function of following a given route is used. The flight mission is entered before suspension on the carrier or, if its on-board equipment allows, before reset.
MALD can fly to given coordinates in a straight line or with maneuvers, or patrol in a given area.
The original ADM-160B is equipped with a head section with a corner reflector to attract the attention of enemy radars. It is understood that the air defense will detect such a target and attack it, and the real cruise missile will have a chance to break through to the target.
Modernized product versions MALD-J and MALD-X have been developed. They differ from the basic model by a new head part that accommodates full-fledged jamming stations. These decoys have other functions and tactical capabilities.
Preliminary findings
There is no exact data yet on in what quantities and how often ADM-160B is used. There are also no statistics on their defeat. But even the available data allows us to draw some conclusions.
In general, the situation looks negative for the Ukrainian side. Judging by the known data, the ADM-160B only partially copes with its task. They really attract the attention of Russian air defense, come under fire and replenish the combat account of anti-aircraft gunners.
It is worth remembering that this product has a different purpose. It should divert fire weapons and ensure the free passage of a real cruise missile. Reports from the Ministry of Defense show that Russian air defense successfully detects and engages both false and real air targets. In addition, carriers of aircraft weapons launching cruise missiles and decoys are also intercepted.
MALD products in production. Photo by Raytheon
The prerequisites for such a situation are simple and associated with the incorrect use of decoys and aircraft weapons.
The fact is that the ADM-160B product is capable of showing high efficiency only in a massive raid. This requires a large number of attack aircraft carrying a mass of cruise missiles and decoys. The total number of real weapons and their simulators must correspond to or exceed the fire capabilities of the enemy's air defense.
In such conditions, decoys can actually create an excessive load on air defense and divert some of the anti-aircraft missiles. At the same time, real air-to-surface weapons have a chance to overcome defenses and hit targets.
The Ukrainian Air Force cannot organize and carry out such an attack. They lack carrier aircraft, which limits the number of cruise missiles and MALD decoys they can launch simultaneously. At the same time, Russian air defense and fighter aircraft pose an excessive threat to Ukrainian missile carriers.
useless help
Thus, foreign patrons tried to help Ukraine organize air strikes against Russian targets and were unsuccessful. The transfer of ADM-160B decoy air targets promised to be an effective step, but in the current situation it was not possible and will not be possible to realize the potential of such products.
Since last spring, there have been sporadic attacks using MALD products in conjunction with real weapons. Russian fighter aviation and air defense, having the necessary numbers and potential, successfully cope with such attempted attacks. Practice shows that they have enough resources for both false and real purposes. And the enemy should not hope for a change in the current situation.
Information