Raytheon has successfully tested separation of its miniature air launched decoy (MALD) from a USAF F-16, according to a company release dated Oct. 24. The tests, conducted from Eglin AFB, Fla., involved nine free-flight launches from the F-16 over May to July. Raytheon says it plans more free flight tests next year, with MALD production beginning in Fiscal 2008. The Air Force already plans to integrate MALD on the B-52 bomber as part of its Smart Weapons Integration Next Generation (SWING) program.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.