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BAE SYSTEMS decoy completes rigorous Navy fighter tests

15 Oct 2002

The U.S. Navy and BAE Systems have successfully completed a series of flight tests of the BAE Systems AN/ALE-55 Fibre Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) on the Navy's new F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. The success of these tests follows similarly successful test flights on a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber in June and July.

The flight tests, conducted at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, were designed to test the endurance and in-flight stability of the FOTD under extremely stressful flight conditions. During these tests, the ALE-55 was subjected to combat representative flight manoeuvres. Its fibre optic towline, which connects the decoy to the aircraft, endured multiple exposures to the fighter's afterburner plume. The ALE-55 maintained fibre optic and electrical continuity throughout the entire flight profile.

The ALE-55 FOTD, manufactured by BAE Systems Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS), Nashua, N.H., is an integral component of the joint U.S. Navy - U.S. Air Force Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) Radio Frequency Countermeasures (RFCM) system.

"We are very pleased with these flight tests," said Capt. Robert Boyd, U.S. Navy (PMA-272) Program Manager. "The performance of the ALE-55 in these combat-like flight conditions are testimony that the decoy will be there for our pilots when they need it. We continue to be very excited about the IDECM program and the capabilities it brings to the Super Hornet."

"It's proving to be an incredibly stable decoy through even the most extreme flight conditions," said Walt Wolf, BAE Systems Flight Test Program Manager. Wolf said the ALE-55's distinct dynamic fins are key to the decoy's stability. The fins adjust to changes in the air stream and help maintain continuity by minimising the stress on the fibre optic line.

Another key component to the ALE-55 is its towline's unique ability to withstand the intense heat of the F/A-18's afterburner plume, explained Wolf. "In the past, a decoy's towline would 'burn through' when exposed to a fighter jet's afterburner plume," Wolf said. "BAE Systems worked closely with the Navy, industry, and academia to develop a thermally resistant fibre optic line that has withstood more than three times the required duration of exposure in maximum afterburner."

IDECM incorporates onboard receivers and off-board countermeasures that include the high-powered FOTD and deployment canister. IDECM provides a highly effective electronic warfare defence for U.S. military aircraft against current and future RF missile threats. Currently, the IDECM is slated for deployment on the F/A-18E/F, the B-1B, and the F-15 aircraft.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE Systems employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around 13 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products. BAE Systems is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 22,000 Americans who live and work in 29 states and Washington, D.C. -- dedicated to solving our customers needs with both highly innovative and leading-edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology and services arenas.

Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) employs more than 4,700 people at eight major facilities in five states. The business unit is a major producer of aircraft self-protection systems and tactical surveillance and intelligence systems for all branches of the armed forces. Other major business areas include microwave, mission and space electronics; infrared imaging; and automated mission planning systems.