Electronic Warfare

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy

Also known as
  • ALE-50
  • AN/ALE-50
  • AN/ALE-50(V)
  • AN/ALE-50(V)-1
  • Advanced Airborne Expendable Decoy
  • AAED
  • Little Buddy

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, pairs a launcher/controller installation with expendable decoy canisters, and is documented on F-16, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and B-1B aircraft as a compact radio-frequency self-protection system used from Kosovo and Iraq to later U.S. air operations.

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy, Towed decoy countermeasure, Electronic Warfare
Image source: ALE-50 on USAF F-16C at MCAS Iwakuni

Role in Conflicts

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

Specifications

System type
Airborne towed decoy
Major components
Launch controller, launcher, and expendable towed decoy canister
Fielded platforms
F-16, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and B-1B
Production start
December 1996
Approximate unit cost
$22,000 per decoy
Decoy shelf life
10 years in sealed canister
Role
Self-protection countermeasure against radar-guided missiles
Employment
Single-use decoy, deployed behind the aircraft and cut free before landing
Decoy Architecture

The AN/ALE-50 is best read as an aircraft defensive subsystem: public sources document it through the host aircraft launcher, controller, and expendable decoy round rather than as a standalone munition.

Countermeasure chain

The aircraft carries a launch controller and launcher, then streams an expendable decoy behind the aircraft when a radar-guided missile threat requires it.

Decoy round

GAO describes the ALE-50 decoy as a single-use component; the tow line is severed before the aircraft returns to base.

Platform fit

Open sources tie the system to F-16, F/A-18E/F, and B-1B installations, with platform-specific launcher arrangements around the same expendable-decoy concept.

Source labels used here: GAO Towed Decoys and Navy Aircraft Survivability; Raytheon Delivers 20,000th ALE-50 Towed Decoy; Air Force FY2001 Aircraft Procurement Justification.

Variants

Public sources use AN/ALE-50 and AN/ALE-50(V) language for the decoy set, with platform-specific launcher and controller configurations rather than wholly separate weapon families.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
B-1B Towed Decoy System installationB-1B towed decoy installation

U.S. Air Force budget material describes a B-1B Towed Decoy System installation using two launcher controllers, two launchers with magazines and canisters, and eight AN/ALE-50 decoy rounds.

Sources: Air Force FY2001 Aircraft Procurement Justification

ALE-50 Bravo T3F launcherF/A-18E/F launcher procurement

The Department of Defense reported a 2014 Navy delivery order for 226 ALE-50 Bravo T3F launchers for U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F aircraft.

Sources: DoD Contracts for September 23 2014

Integrated Multi-Platform Launch ControllerShared launch-control component

Defense Industry Daily describes the IMPLC as the standard launch controller used with platform-specific launchers in AN/ALE-50-related installations.

Sources: Defense Industry Daily on ALE-50 Little Buddy Decoys

Carrier Aircraft

ALE-50 is an aircraft-installed countermeasure: the decoy round matters through the aircraft launcher, controller, and defensive avionics around it.

LauncherLauncher typeLaunch evidence
F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighter

GAO reported that the Air Force had modified the F-16 for ALE-50 use, and Raytheon later identified the F-16 as an operational ALE-50 aircraft.

Sources: GAO Towed Decoys and Navy Aircraft Survivability, Raytheon Delivers 20,000th ALE-50 Towed Decoy

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18E/F Super HornetCarrier-based strike fighter

NAVAIR and DoD contract notices document ALE-50 deployment, procurement, and repair activity for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft.

Sources: NAVAIR Next-Generation Dual-Band Towed Decoy, DoD Contracts for September 23 2014, DoD Contracts for April 22 2020

B-1B Lancer, Long-range, multi-role supersonic bomber, Aircraft & UAVsB-1B LancerLong-range bomber

GAO reported Air Force plans for B-1 ALE-50 installations, while Air Force budget material describes B-1B kits with launcher controllers, launchers, magazines, canisters, and eight decoy rounds.

Sources: GAO Towed Decoys and Navy Aircraft Survivability, Air Force FY2001 Aircraft Procurement Justification

Lockheed Martin F-21, Multirole fighter aircraft proposal, Aircraft & UAVsLockheed Martin F-21Proposed multirole fighter

TWZ reported that Lockheed Martin's F-21 promotional video showed outboard underwing pylons able to deploy the AN/ALE-50 towed decoy; this is a proposal-context link, not a fielded operator relationship.

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

Timeline

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy Key Events

  1. F-16 initial operational test completed

    DOT&E-derived reporting records the ALE-50 system installed on the F-16 completing IOT&E in September 1996 and being assessed as effective and suitable.

  2. Production begins

    Raytheon and NRL sources place ALE-50 production start in December 1996.

  3. F-16, B-1, and F/A-18E/F integration path documented

    GAO described Air Force plans for hundreds of F-16 and B-1 installations and Navy plans to use ALE-50 for F/A-18E/F testing and contingency needs.

  4. 20,000th decoy delivered

    Raytheon announced delivery of the 20,000th ALE-50 towed decoy and identified F-16, F/A-18, and B-1B operational aircraft.

  5. Navy buys F/A-18E/F launchers

    A Department of Defense contract notice covered 226 ALE-50 Bravo T3F launchers for U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F aircraft.

  6. Super Hornet repair order

    A Department of Defense contract notice identified repair work for ALE-50 towed decoy systems used in support of F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft.

Media

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy Images

AN/ALE-50 towed decoy, Towed decoy countermeasure, Electronic Warfare - view 1
Source: AN_ALE-50 launcher schematic
AN/ALE-50 towed decoy, Towed decoy countermeasure, Electronic Warfare - view 2
Source: AN_ALE-50 launcher schematic
AN/ALE-50 towed decoy, Towed decoy countermeasure, Electronic Warfare - view 3
Source: AN_ALE-50 launcher schematic
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Sources

Raytheon AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System Data SheetPublisher: Raytheon | Note: Supports manufacturer background, platform context, and direct conflict-use context: the data sheet identifies Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq as conflicts where AN/ALE-50 provided combat-proven RF missile-threat protection. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Raytheon Delivers 20,000th ALE-50 Towed DecoyPublisher: Raytheon | Note: Supports the Raytheon manufacturer context, production start, 20,000th delivery, operational aircraft, and airborne self-protection role. | Accessed: 2026-07-01NRL 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: 2026-07-01DoD FY 2004 Supplemental Request for OIF OEF and ONEPublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports 2003 Iraq War direct-use context: DoD requested replacement procurement for air-launched expendable ALE-50 decoys expended in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. | Accessed: 2026-07-01JED USAF Seeks New RF Decoy for B-1BPublisher: Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance | Note: Supports B-1B ALE-50 background and direct conflict-use context for Operation Allied Force and Operation Iraqi Freedom. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Forecast International IDECM Archived 2008Publisher: Forecast International | Note: Supports direct conflict-use context that ALE-50(V) interim decoys were used in combat over Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-07-01TWZ Land-Based Marine Corps F-35Cs Move Toward Middle EastPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports 2026 Iran War direct-use context: TWZ reported evidence of U.S. tactical aircraft using AN/ALE-50 towed decoys during the war in Iran, based on recovered-decoy imagery. | Accessed: 2026-07-01GAO Towed Decoys and Navy Aircraft SurvivabilityPublisher: U.S. Government Accountability Office | Note: Supports ALE-50 purpose, single-use employment, F-16 and B-1 integration plans, and F/A-18E/F testing and contingency context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01FAS DOD 101 AN/ALE-50 AAEDPublisher: Federation of American Scientists | Note: Supports DOT&E-derived background on F-16 IOT&E completion, F-16 and B-1B integration, and F/A-18E/F incorporation plans. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Air Force FY2001 Aircraft Procurement JustificationPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports B-1B AN/ALE-50(V)-1 Towed Decoy System installation components and platform-specific decoy-round count. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DoD Contracts for September 23 2014Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports the U.S. Navy procurement of ALE-50 Bravo T3F launchers for F/A-18E/F aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DoD Contracts for April 22 2020Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports repair work for ALE-50 towed decoy systems used in support of F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-01NAVAIR Next-Generation Dual-Band Towed DecoyPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports current Navy context that Raytheon builds the ALE-50 decoy system deployed on F/A-18E/F aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Defense Industry Daily on ALE-50 Little Buddy DecoysPublisher: Defense Industry Daily | Note: Supports the launcher/controller/canister description, IMPLC context, platform-specific launcher discussion, and Little Buddy nickname background. | Accessed: 2026-07-01TWZ 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: 2026-07-01AN_ALE-50 launcher schematicPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the AN/ALE-50 schematic included in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-01ALE-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: 2026-07-01DVIDS 180FW ACE Training AN/ALE-50 InspectionPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for an Ohio Air National Guard photo of an AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system inspection on an F-16. | Accessed: 2026-07-01DVIDS 180FW ACE Training AN/ALE-50 ConnectionsPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for an Ohio Air National Guard photo showing work on AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system connections on an F-16. | Accessed: 2026-07-01