Raytheon is gearing up to restart production of the MALD decoy, an air-launched system that has proven effective in battles and meets the escalating protection needs of the U.S. and NATO allies against enemy air defenses.
In various military conflicts worldwide, the emergence of drone swarms and advanced adversary air defenses has introduced significant threats to piloted fighter jets, unmanned systems, and long-range weapons.
The primary mission of the MALD decoy is to draw and absorb enemy air defense fire by mimicking the radar signature of high-value aircraft. Designed for “stand-in” operations, the MALD is capable of operating close to threats, allowing piloted aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and other effectors to navigate contested airspace with diminished risk.
Experts familiar with the MALD program assert that production capabilities are in place to manufacture an adequate quantity of decoys to form the phantom fleet required by the U.S. and NATO allies, with potential shipments commencing within two years following a contract award.
The confidence in this production restart is rooted in the system’s established effectiveness and the urgent requirement it fulfills for modern military operations.
Source: RTX (Raytheon) (2026-07-15 00:00:00)
