The Air Force has integrated the system on the F-16 and the B-1B. The Navy intends to incorporate the device onboard the F/A-18E/F. The F/A-18E/F integration is an interim configuration until the Integrated Defensive Countermeasures (IDECM) system development is complete. The B-1B integration is an interim configuration until the Defensive System Upgrade Program (DSUP) development is complete. The ALE-50 onboard system major components will be upgraded as the launcher controller for the fiber optic towed decoy in the B-1B DSUP, and the F/A-18E/F IDECM.
Multi-Service Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E) drew heavily from a number of live missile firings at a QF-106 drone employing the AAED. Other open air testing was conducted for correlation of AAED effectiveness in the live firings to effectiveness of the AAED employed from an F-16 aircraft. The ALE-50 system integrated onboard the F-16 completed IOT&E in September 1996. Analysis from the MOT&E and IOT&E found the AAED, and the ALE-50 system as installed on the F-16 to be both effective and suitable. Milestone III occurred in 1QFY97.
DOT&E staff and support analysts have monitored AFOTEC B-1B ALE-50 test plans and testing. The AN/ALE-50 TEMP has not been updated since the MS-III. The B-1B T&E planning associated with the new platform integration and on-board system acquisition of the AN/ALE-50 is specifically reflected in an Air Force approved B-1B Towed Decoy TEMP and Test Plans.
The T&E objectives are (1) to validate the ALE-50 onboard system suitability, and interoperability with other B-1B systems when installed in the B-1B during operations; (2) to demonstrate towed decoy compatibility with the B-1B operational flight regime (i.e. B-1B capability to safely launch, tow, retain, and detach the AAED); and (3) validate that AAED effectiveness, when employed by B-1B, is comparable to that demonstrated during the F-16 IOT&E. A method similar to the F-16 IOT&E, is being used for correlation of B-1B / AAED effectiveness with the MOT&E live firing effectiveness results. The B-1B ALE-50 OT&E has followed a sound process building on previous ALE-50/AAED testing.| NAVY ACAT II Program 94 B-1B systems Total B-1B production (TY$) $120M Average B-1B unit cost (TY$) $1.2M Full-rate B-1B production start 3QFY97 Prime Contractor Boeing North American |
