Electronic Warfare

Towed Decoys Could Improve Survivability of Current Navy Aircraft Gao ID: NSIAD-97-94 September 4, 1997

The Defense Department's (DOD) effort to acquire towed decoys to improve the survivability of military aircraft has shown positive results. The ALE-50 towed decoy system has done very well in effectiveness testing, and the future radio frequency countermeasures system is expected to be even more capable. The Air Force is fielding towed decoys on a number of its aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, and B-l. The Navy is planning towed decoys only for its future F/A-18E/F. In the year 2010, existing varieties of fighter planes will comprise almost half of the Navy's tactical fighter force. Hence, improving the survivability of the F/A-18C/D and other current Navy and Marine Corps aircraft presents an opportunity to save additional aircraft and lives in the event of future hostilities and to address congressional concerns about F/A-18C/D survivability.

GAO noted that: (1) DOD's effort to improve the survivability of its aircraft through the use of towed decoys has demonstrated positive results; (2) according to test reports and test officials, the ALE-50 has done very well in effectiveness testing and the future RFCM decoy system is expected to be even more capable; (3) the Air Force is actively engaged in efforts to field towed decoy systems on a number of its current aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, and B-1, while the Navy is planning towed decoys only for its future F/A-18E/F; (4) in the year 2010, almost 50 percent of the Navy's tactical fighter inventory will still be current generation fighter aircraft such as the F/A-18C/D, even if new F/A-18E/Fs are procured at the rates desired by the Navy between now and then; and (5) improving the survivability of the F/A-18C/D, as well as other current Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, potentially offers the opportunity to save additional aircraft and aircrew's lives in the event of future hostilities and also addresses congressional concerns expressed for F/A-18C/D survivability.

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