Programmable decoy models
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. (AFMCNS) -- Adam Plondke, store separation project engineer, inspects the installation of the 1/20-scale model of the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy and F-16. Wind tunnel testing, which investigated the carriage and separation characteristics of the MALD from the F-16 at speeds up to Mach 0.95, was recently completed in the 4T wind tunnel. Use of the low-cost, air-launched, programmable decoys, which can accurately replicate the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and coalition aircraft, is designed to deceive and confuse adversary air defense systems. (Air Force photo by Doyle Veazey)