Electronic Warfare: Towed Decoys Could Improve Survivability of Current Navy Aircraft
NSIAD-97-94
Published: Sep 04, 1997. Publicly Released: Sep 04, 1997.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) acquisition plans for the ALE-50 towed decoy system and the Radio Frequency Countermeasures System (RFCM), which includes a more advanced towed decoy, focusing on whether towed decoys could improve the survivability of certain Navy and Air Force aircraft.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| In light of the demonstrated improvement in survivability that analyses and test results indicate towed decoy systems can provide, and recognizing that 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, the Congress may wish to direct the Navy to find, as it has done for its F/A-18E/F and the Air Force has done for the F-16, cost-effective ways to improve the survivability of its current aircraft. | Because the Navy is trying to figure out how to best install the towed decoy on its F/A-18 aircraft, the Congress does not need to act on the matter for consideration. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Navy to make a detailed engineering analysis of the modifications needed to adapt the towed decoy to the F/A-18C/D. |
The Navy conducted the engineering analysis as GAO recommended. The Navy determined that a centerline installation was possible, but decided not to recommend installation of a towed decoy on the F/A-18C/D.
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Topics
Air defense systemsDefense capabilitiesDefense contingency planningElectronic warfareMilitary aircraftMilitary procurementMissilesRadar equipmentTestingRadio frequency