JOINT PACIFIC ALASKA RANGE
COMPLEX, Alaska, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Naval
Research Lab and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) have demonstrated
successful captive flights of a modular, rapid replacement
architecture for electronic warfare (EW) payloads on the Miniature
Air Launched Decoy-Jammer (MALD-J). The testing occurred during the
biannual Northern Edge exercise in Alaska.
Called CERBERUS, four separately developed EW payloads were used
in 12 operationally relevant missions. The interchangeable
payloads, each customized for a specific mission and threat, were
swapped onto the captive carry vehicle in less than one minute. The
payloads were designed to be used on a MALD® vehicle.
"The CERBERUS design is cost-effective and expands MALD
capabilities to address new missions and target sets. It's a
sensible approach for mitigating payload obsolescence," said Dr.
Jeff Heyer, head of Electronic
Warfare Strategic Planning Organization at Naval Research
Laboratory. "The design embodies the CNO's 'Payloads over
Platforms' vision."
This four-year program, in collaboration with U.S. Pacific
Command and Naval Air Systems Command (PMA-234), developed a
payload system architecture integrated with a quick interchange
structural connection. Together, they provide a match for the
rapidly evolving electronic attack battle space.
The critical technology for the quick-attachment technique was
borrowed from IndyCar racing technology. CERBERUS adapted the
half-turn quick lock developed by Dallara, which has 40 years of
expertise in producing some of the safest and fastest racing cars
in the world. This design was altered to meet aerospace form
factors and environmental requirements.
"The successful Military Utility Assessment during Northern Edge
15 demonstrated the CERBERUS design's capacity to expand MALD
capabilities to address new missions and target sets," Heyer said.
"There is a high-demand signal from the operational forces to
deliver this capability to the warfighter now."
During Northern Edge, new tactics, techniques and capabilities
are demonstrated for possible use in combat. A MALD vehicle was
carried below a Sabreliner, with the payload controlled from within
the aircraft cabin. This is an effective tool for evaluating
payload performance, and allows for real-time control and data
analysis during a flight test.
MALD-J is in full rate production for the U.S. Air Force. The
U.S. Navy is evaluating development of MALD-N in the near future to
conduct stand-in-jamming for their unique missions.
About MALD and MALD-J
MALD is a state-of-the-art,
low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and
programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of
approximately 500 nautical miles. MALD protects aircraft and their
crews by duplicating the combat flight profiles and signatures of
U.S. and allied aircraft. MALD-J adds radar-jamming capability to
the basic MALD platform.
- MALD confuses enemy air defenses by duplicating friendly
aircraft flight profiles and radar signatures.
- MALD-J maintains all capabilities of MALD and adds jamming
capabilities.
- Raytheon began delivery of MALD-Js in the fall of 2012.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of
$23 billion and 61,000 employees
worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in
defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets
throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 93
years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission
systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing;
effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence
systems, as well as cybersecurity and a broad range of mission
support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham,
Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit www.raytheon.com and
follow us on Twitter @raytheon.
Media Contact
Ashley
Mehl
+1.520.794.5142
rmspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company