ADM-160 MALD

The ADM‑160 Multi‑spectral Airborne Laser Designator (MALD) is a compact, fixed‑wing unmanned aerial system developed in the early 2000s by Ryan Aeronautical, a division of BAE Systems. Conceived to give ground‑forces precise laser‑designating capability from a standoff altitude, the aircraft first flew in 2002 and entered service with the U.S. Army in 2006. Its high‑subsonic, 6‑foot wingspan airframe is built of carbon‑fiber composite, allowing a launch weight of about 350 lb and a cruise speed near 120 kt. A key feature is the integrated laser designator that can target objects up to 12 km away while the vehicle remains 15 km from the battlefield, reducing risk to pilots. The MALD can be launched from a portable catapult and recovered by parachute, enabling rapid deployment in austere environments. Over a decade of operational use, the system has proven valuable for joint fire‑support missions, providing real‑time target illumination for artillery, missiles and aircraft. Its success spurred the development of the larger ADM‑160‑M MALD‑J, which adds a payload‑launched decoy capability, underscoring the platform’s lasting influence on modern tactical unmanned aviation. Today the MALD remains a benchmark for lightweight, high‑precision ISR and targeting solutions.

Ryan Aeronautical

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