OVERVIEW: The AN/ALE-50  is an airborne towed decoy that provides aircraft self-defense against RH missiles.


DETAILS:  The AN/ALE-50 system consists of a launcher and launch controller attached to one of the aircraft's weapon pylons and containing one or more expendable towed decoys.  The decoy operates as a preferential target for RH missiles by providing a significantly larger radar cross section than the aircraft. The AN/ALE-50 can be manually operated as a stand-alone device, or it can be integrated and controlled by the ALE-47.


NOTES:  IOC in 1995.  In service on USAF/USN/USMC  F-16, F/A-18E/F, and B-1B aircraft. It can be used on a variety of platforms without modification. The ALE-50 towed decoy has provided combat-proven aircraft protection against RF missile threats in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. 


SOURCES:  Raytheon: Customer Success Is Our Mission. "Raytheon: AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System." Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/ale50/. ; Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. "ALE-50 Towed Decoy System." Accessed November 15, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALE-50_Towed_Decoy_System ; Guide to Military Equipment and Civil Aviation. "AN/ALE-50." Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.deagel.com/Aircraft-Protection-Systems/ANALE-50_a001668001.aspx ; Defense Industry Daily. "Raytheon's ALE-50 "Little Buddy" Decoys." Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/raytheons-ale50-little-buddy-decoys-02573/#more-2573 ; F-16.net - The ultimate F-16, F-22, F-35 reference. "Raytheon receives contract for ALE-50 towed-decoy production." Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article1958.html ; Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org
