F-35? T-1687A / ALE-70 (V)

[neptune]

https://www.afcea.org/content/?q=bae-pr ... ermeasures

BAE to Provide Joint Strike Fighter Transmitter Countermeasures
April 4, 2014

BAE Systems Electronic Solutions, Nashua, N.H., is being awarded a $47,352,248 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order contract for the manufacture of the transmitter countermeasures T-1687A/ALE-70 (V) in support of the Joint Strike Fighter program. The Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pa., is the contracting activity (N00104-14-D-K054).

.....QUESTION!!!!...

is the ALE-70 installed on the F-35??

note* a lot of "blather" rambling around about an Aussie purchase but simply could be for their F-18s. I admit I am not familiar with this specific device, thus the question to those more knowledgeable.

[garrya]

.....QUESTION!!!!...

is the ALE-70 installed on the F-35??

Yes, around 4 decoys



A = Fiber optic towed decoy (ALE-70) dispenser door
F (x2) = Flare doors

[popcorn]

Australia is buying 1952 ALE-70s which seem a lot. Can we infer anything from the qty ordered?

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/au ... sures-rfcm

[spazsinbad]

Here is a good 'ole' 'SWP' Post: viewtopic.php?f=62&t=50951&p=354377&hilit=countermeasures+dispenser#p354377

GOOD THREAD: BAE Systems Inches Out In Public On Electronic Warfare 16 Jul 2016

viewtopic.php?f=62&t=50951&hilit=countermeasures+dispenser

[neptune]

Australia is buying 1952 ALE-70s which seem a lot. Can we infer anything from the qty ordered?

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/au ... sures-rfcm

Yes, in the Spaz reference (an apples and oranges thread of decoying and jamming) the ALE-70 has a 400 hour life limit per a document provided by Spud.

In more simple terms the ALE-70 is an expendable towed RF decoy for spoofing attacking radar controlled missiles. Speculating that there maybe four(ish) ALE-70 per a/c. Similar to the ALE-50 on B-1B and F/A-18E/Fs.

[popcorn]

Does the aircraft have the ability to reel in an ALE-70 that has been deployed?

[ricnunes]

Does the aircraft have the ability to reel in an ALE-70 that has been deployed?

I would say, YES.

For example the ALE-55 does have a reel in option, which can be read on the ALE-55 brochure which can be downloaded from the page below:
http://www.baesystems.com/en-us/product ... owed-decoy
(AN/ALE-55 brochure link)

In the brochure the following can be read:

Reel out/Reel in option
In addition to the standard “fast deploy expendable” decoy,
BAE Systems has flight tested a “Reel out/Reel in” deployment system
for fighter aircraft. Based on a flight-test-proven design for C-130
aircraft, this option replaces expendable decoys with decoys that can
be used again and again. This not only means the decoy will be there
when it’s needed, but it also lowers the system’s life-cycle costs.

So if the ALE-55 has a reel in option than I cannot see why the ALE-70 shouldn't have the same mode as well

[popcorn]

Thanks ricnunes, though I'm still curious how they manage it without dinging the fuselage . . I still puzzle at the size of the Oz order though. Matbe a Black Friday sale?

[neptune]

Thanks ricnunes, though I'm still curious how they manage it without dinging the fuselage . . I still puzzle at the size of the Oz order though. Matbe a Black Friday sale?

Yes, a bit difference in a ding in a Herc vs. a ding in a Litenen (yes, expendable). Divide the purchase number by the a/c number and the balance would yield the number of flights per 400 hours operating and....the number per each a/c 4(ish)??

[ricnunes]

Thanks ricnunes, though I'm still curious how they manage it without dinging the fuselage . . I still puzzle at the size of the Oz order though. Matbe a Black Friday sale?

Yes, a bit difference in a ding in a Herc vs. a ding in a Litenen (yes, expendable). Divide the purchase number by the a/c number and the balance would yield the number of flights per 400 hours operating and....the number per each a/c 4(ish)??

Well, if you read the ALE-55 brochure or the quote from the brochure that I posted above:

Reel out/Reel in option
In addition to the standard “fast deploy expendable” decoy,
BAE Systems has flight tested a “Reel out/Reel in” deployment system
for fighter aircraft. Based on a flight-test-proven design for C-130
aircraft, this option replaces expendable decoys with decoys that can
be used again and again. This not only means the decoy will be there
when it’s needed, but it also lowers the system’s life-cycle costs.

Note the part in bold and underlined
Well there's a "reel in" system for fighter aircraft, this for the ALE-55.
So again, I don't see why the ALE-70 couldn't have such a system. But yeah, a better clarification on the subject would be great.

[ricnunes]

This not much but it somehow adds some details about the ALE-70 Australia deal with a little bit more info on the ALE-70:

http://www.airforce-technology.com/news ... a-5893336/

Designed and produced by BAE Systems for deployment from the F-35 aircraft, the ALE-70 towed radio frequency countermeasure consists of the reel/launcher assembly, tow line, T-1687 countermeasure transmitter, and electronic and mechanical sub-assemblies.

[SpudmanWP]

Speculating that there maybe four(ish) ALE-70 per a/c. Similar to the ALE-50 on B-1B and F/A-18E/Fs.

Correct.


Attachment points for four dispensers can be seen.

[neptune]

..

Correct. Attachment points for four dispensers can be seen...[/quote]




PUCKER TIME; four missiles!!

Wow! Someone left the flashing "Come on In" sign on!

[popcorn]

OK thanks ric and spud... much clearer now how ALE-70 is to be operated from the jet.

[garrya]

Attachment points for four dispensers can be seen.

Brighter photo