Introduction to the DD Newsletter
The DD Newsletter provides weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
New Evidence of ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy Use by Ukraine
Newly published footage shows an ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) fitted to a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker fighter. The video confirms that the store is used by both the Su-27 and Ukraine’s MiG-29 Fulcrum jets, and also that it is carried on the same specially adapted underwing pylon that is used for various Western-supplied guided munitions.
Details of the MALD
The MALD — a small cruise missile-like weapon designed to stimulate, confuse, and distract enemy air defenses, not attack them kinetically — has been seen on several occasions before this, including mounted on a MiG-29. The new evidence appears in an official video released by the Ukrainian Air Force in which aircrews discuss Su-27 operations in the current conflict against the backdrop of the jets being prepared for combat and in flight. A Su-27 is seen on a flight line, with a single MALD carried on each of its inboard underwing hardpoints.
Integration of MALD on Ukrainian Platforms
The fact that MALD can be loaded with the target data before launch means that it shouldn’t have been a huge challenge to integrate it on Ukrainian platforms — first the MiG-29, now the Su-27. At the same time, we can see that it’s mounted on the same specialized pylon that has been seen in the past loaded with the French-made Hammer rocket-boosted precision-guided bomb and U.S.-supplied JDAM-ER glide bombs, for example.
Role of MALD in Ukrainian Air Force Operations
Each MALD is powered by a small turbojet, which can be seen covered with a cap in the new video. This falls away once the decoy is launched, after which it flies along a pre-programmed route. The store is also able to loiter over target areas, maximizing its effect on air defenses in the area. MALD has played an important role for the Ukrainian Air Force, providing a new way of distracting and confusing Russian air defenses, which means that Ukrainian missiles and strike packages have a better chance of getting to their targets.
Support for Cruise Missile Strikes
For long, we have known that MALD is of particular value during Ukrainian air-launched cruise missile strikes, which primarily involve the Storm Shadow (supplied by the United Kingdom and Italy) as well as its French equivalent, the SCALP EG. The MALD is well-suited to this mission, offering a range of around 500 miles, which also gives it significant loiter time.
Conclusion
The appearance of MALD on the Su-27 may not be a surprise, but it’s certainly interesting to see this rather secretive store in hitherto unseen detail while in Ukrainian hands. At the same time, the video underscores the huge value of this weapon as the Ukrainian Air Force continues to press home its attacks on a vastly numerically superior enemy. Contact the author: thomas@defencedetective.com