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A picture has finally confirmed the identity of the launch platform for the Ukrainian ADM-160 (MALD) Miniature Air-Launched Decoy: the Soviet-era MiG-29 Fulcrum. Although there have been sporadic indications of MALD use, a small, cruise missile-like weapon designed to stimulate, confuse, and distract enemy air defenses rather than kinetically attack them, this is the first time it has been seen mounted on a Ukrainian aircraft.
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visual of AM-160 (MALD)  on Mig 29 Fulcurm in a low pass (Picture source: X)

The ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) is a miniature aerial decoy designed to mimic the radar signatures and flight characteristics of aircraft, with the aim of deceiving and distracting enemy air defenses. Developed by Raytheon, the MALD is powered by a small turbojet engine and can follow preprogrammed flight paths with a range of about 500 miles, providing extended loitering capability over target areas. Primarily used to support cruise missile strikes, the MALD enhances the chances of success by saturating and confusing enemy radars, thereby reducing the risk to actual aircraft and missiles. Its lightweight and versatility make it a valuable asset for modern air forces, including those of Ukraine, which have integrated it into their MiG-29 Fulcrum to improve their combat effectiveness.

The photo in question provides a clear view of the underside of a single-seat MiG-29 as it makes a low pass. A single MALD is mounted on each of the two inner wing pylons. Weighing around 300 pounds each, they are well within the payload capacity of the fighter’s wing hardpoints. No other weapons are carried, although an external fuel tank is attached between the engine intakes. The date and location of the photo are unknown.

The first evidence of Ukraine’s use of the MALD in its war against Russia is now public. The first confirmed MALD wreckage appeared in May 2023, following an apparent airstrike in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine. By December 2023, more wreckage surfaced, this time in a field believed to be somewhere in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine.

The wreckage of another MALD allegedly crashed in the Kherson region in December 2023. We have also explored in-depth what MALD exactly brings to the Ukrainian war effort. Powered by a small turbojet engine, these weapons follow preprogrammed routes, including overflying target areas. This way, they can distract and confuse Russian air defenses, providing a better chance for Ukrainian missiles to reach their targets.

Specifically, the MALD is primarily used to support Ukrainian air-launched cruise missile strikes, which involve the Storm Shadow (supplied by the UK, and now Italy) as well as its French equivalent, the SCALP EG. To support this mission, the MALD has a range of about 500 miles, giving it significant loiter time as well.

The ADM-160s first appeared right when the Storm Shadow began to be used and in areas similar to their targets, which makes perfect sense. These decoys can be configured to have larger radar signatures than the missiles they assist, thus diverting enemy air defenses. Storm Shadow and SCALP EG have low-observable characteristics, significantly reducing the distance at which they can be detected by certain sensors. This, combined with meticulous route planning based on the latest intelligence on enemy air defense positions and capabilities, can greatly enhance the success chances of a cruise missile strike.

The need for additional measures to ensure the protection of the Storm Shadow and SCALP EG was dramatically demonstrated this weekend when images showed the apparent engagement of one of these latest weapons by Russian air defenses over the Luhansk region.

Interestingly, while it is now no secret that Ukraine is using the MALD, the supply of these weapons by the United States has never been officially disclosed.

However, as we have seen in the past, not only does the MALD offer a uniquely useful capability to Ukraine, but being able to deploy this weapon against some of the most advanced and dense air defenses ever assembled will have implications for the development of more advanced versions and other countermeasures.

MALD decoy crashed near Kherson in December 2023 (Picture source: X)

Given that the MALD can be loaded with the appropriate target data before launch, integrating it on the MiG-29 was likely not a major undertaking. With this in mind, it is very possible that units could also be launched by Su-24 Fencer strike aircraft and Su-27 Flanker fighters, although the former is prioritized for delivering Storm Shadow and SCALP EG cruise missiles themselves.

Once again, the MiG-29 demonstrates its remarkable versatility in Ukrainian hands. The Fulcrum remains the true workhorse of the Ukrainian Air Force’s combat fleet.

Previously, it was the first Ukrainian platform on which we saw the high-speed AGM-88 anti-radiation missile (HARM) and the extended-range Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM-ER). The Fulcrum has also been seen with a specially adapted underwing pylon linked to the use of the JDAM-ER, which you can read about here. New cockpit displays might also contribute to enhancing the operational flexibility of these weapons.

More recently, the MiG-29 became the first known launch platform for the precision-guided Hammer bomb supplied by France.

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On May 16, 2024, the Polish Armed Forces reported that a ceremony at the 12th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Base in Mirosławiec marked the completion of the deliveries of the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the Polish Armed Forces. The ceremony was attended by the Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense, Paweł Bejda, along with representatives from the Polish military.
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The Bayraktar TB2 drone has been used in various conflicts, including in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine, where it has demonstrated its capabilities in surveillance and precision strikes. Featuring a triple-redundant avionics system, the TB2 can support both day and night operations. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Bayraktar TB2 drones were tested in Turkey before their delivery to Poland in April 2024. After arriving in Poland, they underwent final tests, which they successfully passed, confirming their acceptance by the user. The fourth set delivered includes six unmanned aerial vehicles, three ground control stations, EO/IR sensors, weapons, and spare parts. The first three sets were received by the Polish Armed Forces in the autumn of 2022 and the spring and autumn of 2023.

Training for Polish operators and instructors was conducted by Baykar Technologies, with sessions at the 12th UAV Base in Mirosławiec and the Air Force Aviation and Engineering Training Center in Dęblin. The contract also ensures the transfer of technology necessary for depot-level maintenance within the Polish Armed Forces. This includes maintenance and repair capabilities for engines, ground control stations, and EO/IR sensors.

The deliveries are part of an agreement signed on May 24, 2021, between the Polish Armament Inspectorate and Baykar Technologies. This agreement included four Bayraktar TB2 UAV sets along with ground control stations, SAR radars, simulators, training packages, logistics support, and spare parts. The contract also covered the acquisition of MAM-L and MAM-C smart munitions, which have been developed by the Turkish company Roketsan for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), light attack aircraft, fighter aircraft, and air-to-ground missions. Additionally, the contractor will transfer the necessary technologies to enable in-house maintenance capabilities within the Polish Armed Forces, including the servicing and repair of engines, ground control stations, and EO/IR sensors.

Designed for reconnaissance and combat missions, the Bayraktar TB2 can carry up to 150 kilograms of payload, including sensors and laser-guided munitions. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Baykar Technologies, a Turkish defense company. Designed for reconnaissance and combat missions, it can carry up to 150 kilograms of payload, including sensors and laser-guided munitions. The TB2 has a wingspan of 12 meters, a length of 6.5 meters, and can reach altitudes up to 27,000 feet with an endurance of up to 27 hours. It is powered by an internal combustion engine driving a variable pitch propeller in a pusher configuration, allowing for a cruising speed of 70 knots and a range of 150 kilometers.

The TB2 has been used in various conflicts, including in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine, where it has demonstrated its capabilities in surveillance and precision strikes. It features a triple-redundant avionics system and can perform autonomous taxi, takeoff, and landing. The standard payload configuration includes electro-optical and infrared cameras, a laser range finder, and a laser designator, supporting operations both day and night. The ground control station, built to NATO specifications, supports mission planning and real-time command and control. The TB2’s performance in Ukraine has attracted interest from multiple countries, leading to its acquisition by various defense forces.

In addition, the Polish Ministry of National Defense is considering the establishment of a new branch of the Armed Forces focused on unmanned systems, tentatively named “Unmanned Forces.” This proposal aligns with a broader trend in military developments globally, as various nations are integrating unmanned systems into their defense structures to enhance operational efficiency and mitigate risks to human soldiers. The US Air Force, for example, is reoptimizing its structure to form deployable and in-place combat wings that integrate UAVs and other unmanned systems, ensuring they are ready from the start of any conflict. In Europe, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group recently proposed creating a “drone army” to enhance the capabilities of the German air force, land forces, and navy, focusing on both reconnaissance and combat drones, inspired by Ukraine’s extensive use of drones in combat.