Ukraine MiG-29s Now Equipped with US ADM-160 MALD Decoy Missiles Able to Jam Modern Russian Radars.

According to information reported on the X Account of "Chuck Pfarrer" on July 27, 2024, the United States has provided Ukraine with the ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD), a sophisticated decoy missile equipped with electronic countermeasures to actively jam early warning and target acquisition radars. The report highlights that Ukraine has successfully adapted the ADM-160 MALD to be mounted on its legacy MiG-29 fighter aircraft, significantly enhancing its aerial combat capabilities.
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 A Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) ADM-160 is mounted onto a U.S. Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber.  (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

Although the United States has not officially confirmed the delivery of ADM-160 MALD missiles to Ukraine, open-source information sheds some light on the matter. In May 2023, wreckage of an ADM-160 MALD decoy missile were reportedly discovered in Luhansk after a Ukrainian strike on a Russian target in the occupied city. A label on the wreckage identified it as an ADM-160B model, indicating that Ukraine has likely been using these decoy missiles for some time.

The provision of the ADM-160 MALD to Ukraine, if confirmed, represents a significant boost to Ukraine's military capabilities. The ability to deceive and jam enemy air defenses allows Ukrainian aircraft to operate with greater freedom and reduced risk, potentially shifting the balance of power in the region. As the conflict continues, the deployment of such advanced technologies will likely play a crucial role in the strategies employed by both sides.

The ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) is a sophisticated decoy missile designed to enhance the effectiveness of air combat operations. Its key features include a length of approximately 2.84 meters and a weight of around 45 kilograms, making it relatively lightweight and compact. The MALD boasts an impressive range of over 930 km (500 nautical miles), allowing it to reach distant targets, and its turbojet engine provides high-speed flight and maneuverability. One of its most notable attributes is its modularity, enabling it to be configured for various missions such as decoy, jamming, and reconnaissance. Additionally, its advanced flight control systems allow for programmable flight paths, enabling it to mimic the radar signature and flight profiles of different aircraft.

In combat, the ADM-160 MALD excels at deception, confusing enemy air defenses by mimicking larger, more valuable aircraft. This capability forces adversaries to misallocate their resources, targeting the decoys instead of actual combat aircraft. The MALD also plays a crucial role in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) by drawing out and depleting enemy surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and other air defense assets, thus facilitating easier penetration of defended airspace by friendly aircraft.

The MALD-J variant enhances this capability with jamming functions, disrupting enemy radar and communication systems and providing electronic attack support to other aircraft. Its ability to operate autonomously once launched, following a pre-programmed flight path, adds to its operational efficiency.

Compared to other conventional missiles, the main advantages of the ADM-160 MALD are its low cost, versatility, and compact size. Unlike larger, more complex unmanned systems or manned aircraft, the MALD is relatively inexpensive, allowing for widespread deployment to overwhelm enemy defenses. Its modular design supports multiple roles on the battlefield, from deception to electronic warfare, making it a valuable multipurpose asset. The compact size and lightweight design enable a single aircraft to carry multiple MALDs, significantly increasing the number of decoys that can be deployed in a mission. Moreover, its integration with modern aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the B-52 Stratofortress provides flexibility in mission planning and execution, enhancing overall combat effectiveness.

In summary, the ADM-160 MALD's blend of deception capabilities, autonomous operation, cost-effectiveness, and versatility gives it a distinct edge over conventional missiles, making it an essential component of modern aerial warfare strategies.