The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon a $33 million contract to develop a dual band towed decoy for the F/A-18 E/F. The design will extend the protection capabilities of the AN/ALE-50, which was developed by Raytheon and flies on the F/A-18E/F, as well as the F-16 and B-1B.
“The dual band decoy will look like the target, deceive threats and steer missiles toward it, rather than the aircraft,” said Jeremy Carney, a director at Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems.
Raytheon has delivered more than 29,000 of the ALE-50 decoy to the services since it was deployed in 1995.
"Pilots nicknamed the ALE-50 the Little Buddy during previous conflicts because it consistently saved their lives," said Carney.
The new design will leverage the aerodynamic performance of the ALE-50 and use advancements in electronic integration to achieve the required self-protection capabilities. Raytheon will complete the development during the next 27 months.
“Decoys are there to bring a pilot home safely — period.” — Jeremy Carney