MALD® Achieves Major Flight Test Success With Advanced Composite Fuselage Produced By Cobham

The U.S. Air Force successfully completed a flight test March 21st of a MALD®-J (Miniature Air-Launched Decoy) with a composite fuselage, or casing, produced by Cobham integrated into the airframe. This test successfully met all EMD-4 flight test objectives conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, FL and qualifies the MALD®-J Program to continue into Operational Test.  Cobham developed the innovative, low cost manufacturing process for MALD® at its facility in Suffolk, VA.

MALD is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles). Currently integrated on the B-52 bomber and F-16 fighter aircraft, MALD can be certified on any aircraft with a 14-inch suspension carriage. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, AZ is the prime for the MALD program. Cobham is responsible for the composite fuselage under contract to Raytheon.

“This is an important program, and this successful testing milestone represents a significant step in achieving a fully qualified MALD® airframe assembly in support of Raytheon and their customer’s needs,” said Fred Cahill, vice president of Cobham Antenna Systems.”

Cobham press release