Jammer launched from B-52

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WICHITA, Kan., June 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has conducted its first powered launch of a Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer from a B-52 with assistance from Boeing.

In the successful test, the electronic jammer was launched from a B-52 Stratofortress over the Gulf of Mexico at the Eglin Air Force Base test range in Florida.

Boeing designed the avionics software onboard the B-52 that controls and launches the Raytheon-built MALD-J.

"The software functioned exactly as we designed," said Scot Oathout, B-52 program director for Boeing. "We were able to power up the MALD, send the mission through the interface and verify that the data was properly received."

MALD-J is the newest variant in the MALD family. It has added capabilities to loiter or orbit over an area and jam adversaries' radars.

"This is another great opportunity for the Air Force and Boeing to transform the B-52 and expand its mission from a predominantly offensive role to a more defensive player, defending U.S. and allied aircraft in combat zones," said Oathout.