Electronic Warfare

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy

Also known as

ALE-50
AN/ALE-50

The AN/ALE-50 is a Raytheon airborne towed decoy countermeasure developed from Naval Research Laboratory work to draw radar-guided missiles away from combat aircraft. It entered production in December 1996, was fielded on aircraft including the F-16, F/A-18E/F, and B-1B, and is documented as a compact self-protection system for fast jets and bombers.

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy, Towed decoy countermeasure, Electronic Warfare

Image source: AN_ALE-50 launcher schematic

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Raytheon
Type: Towed decoy countermeasure
Service note: 1996-present
Designer: Naval Research Laboratory
Unit cost: $22,000 per decoy
Produced: December 1996-present

electronic warfare air-launched

Specifications

System type: Airborne towed decoy
Fielded platforms: F-16, F/A-18E/F, and B-1B
Production start: December 1996
Approximate unit cost: $22,000 per decoy
Role: Self-protection countermeasure against radar-guided missiles

Launch Platforms

The AN/ALE-50 is documented in F-21 coverage as a towed decoy deployed from outboard underwing pylons.

Launcher

Launcher type

Launch evidence

Lockheed Martin F-21, Multirole fighter aircraft proposal, Aircraft & UAVs

Lockheed Martin F-21

Multirole fighter

TWZ reports that the F-21 video shows outboard underwing pylons able to deploy the AN/ALE-50 towed decoy.

Sources: TWZ on F-21 and AN/ALE-50 towed decoy

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Aircraft self-protection decoy used on F-16, F/A-18E/F, and B-1B aircraft.

Media

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy Images

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy, Towed decoy countermeasure, Electronic Warfare - view 1 — Source: ALE-50 on USAF F-16C at MCAS Iwakuni

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Sources

Raytheon Delivers 20,000th ALE-50 Towed DecoyPublisher: Raytheon | Note: Supports the Raytheon manufacturer context and the ALE-50's airborne self-protection role. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 NRL 100 Contributions: AN/ALE-50 Towed CountermeasuresPublisher: Naval Research Laboratory | Note: Supports the program background, production start, aircraft fit, and reported per-decoy cost for the AN/ALE-50. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 TWZ on F-21 and AN/ALE-50 towed decoyPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports the F-21 video coverage showing outboard underwing pylons able to deploy the AN/ALE-50 towed decoy. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AN_ALE-50 launcher schematicPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the AN/ALE-50 schematic used as the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 ALE-50 on USAF F-16C at MCAS IwakuniPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the F-16C photograph showing an ALE-50 towed decoy system in context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27