Dual Band Decoy: A Cutting-Edge RF Self-Protection Jammer for Fighter Jets

BAE Systems Media

BAE Systems has been chosen by the U.S. Navy to develop the Dual Band Decoy (DBD), one of the most advanced radio frequencies (RF) countermeasures in existence. The DBD is a state-of-the-art RF self-protection jammer designed to shield fighter jets from enemy attacks.

Building on the proven capabilities of BAE Systems’ AN/ALE-55 Fibre-Optic Towed Decoy, the DBD consists of a towed unit connected by a fibre-optic cable to the aircraft’s onboard electronic warfare equipment. This decoy employs the latest jamming technology to disrupt enemy radars and divert missiles away from the aircraft. It can be deployed either manually by the pilot or automatically in response to detected threats, providing essential protection in highly contested airspace.

“With Dual Band Decoy, we are building on the ALE-55’s years of mission success as a high-powered jamming system,” said Don Davidson, director of the Advanced Compact Electronic Warfare Solutions product line at BAE Systems. “Dual Band Decoy delivers broad capability that can be installed on a variety of aircraft and is upgradeable to address future threats.”

The DBD integrates BAE Systems’ custom integrated circuits, enhancing performance while reducing size, weight, and power requirements. This system is a crucial component of BAE Systems’ Intrepid Shield™ strategy, which aims to create a protective sphere around platforms in highly contested battlespaces by using the full electromagnetic spectrum to detect, exploit, and counter advanced threats.

The Dual Band Decoy will initially be deployed on the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, with development taking place at BAE Systems’ advanced facilities in Nashua, New Hampshire.