Decoy jammer to begin production

TUCSON, Ariz. - The Air Force has authorized Raytheon to begin low rate initial production of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer variant. MALD is a modular, air-launched, programmable, 300-pound system with a 575-mile range. It protects aircraft by duplicating the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft. The new model adds radar-jamming capability that allows it to perform stand-in jamming missions instead of using manned aircraft. Raytheon will begin delivering MALD-J in 2012. (Source: Raytheon, 11/29/11) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., has been the contracting activity for development of the system.