The MALD ACTD will develop and demonstrate a small, inexpensive air-launched decoy system for the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission. MALD will enhance the survivability of friendly aircraft and aid in establishing air superiority by stimulating, diluting and confusing enemy integrated air defense systems.
The MALD ACTD is a follow-on to the DARPA Small Engine Advanced Program (SENGAP) which successfully developed an extremely small turbojet engine. This turbojet engine is one of the key enabling technologies for a powered decoy. Sundstrand Power Systems, Dan Diego, Calif., will provide the engine for the MALD.
In accordance with ACTD guidelines, the MALD ACTD will demonstrate the operational utility of a new military capability based upon mature advanced technologies. Specifically, at the conclusion of the contract, the government will have a military capability of 32 residual, operational MALD systems, trained aircrews, preliminary tactics, and a refined concept of operations based upon operational demonstrations. In addition, a major thrust of the ACTD effort is for Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical Systems to deliver a MALD production proposal at the end of the just-awarded 30-month contact. This proposal will be for a MALD with a unit flyaway price of less than or equal to $30,000.
The ACTD is a DARPA/Air Force effort, with DARPA as the lead, providing executive oversight and program management. The Aeronautical Systems Center is the MALD ACTD contracting agent and will perform technical monitoring of the contract. The Air Combat Command is the designated user sponsor and operational manager, responsible for assessing the military utility of the MALD systems. The Air National Guard, as the testing agency, will provide all support necessary to conduct operational demonstrations.