OVERVIEW: The Mk 234 Nulka is an active, rocket-propelled off-board decoy designed to protect naval vessels by seducing radar-guided anti-ship missiles. Entering service in 2002, it uses onboard propulsion and an electronic payload to mimic a ship’s radar signature.

DETAILS: The Nulka system combines a hovering rocket with a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM)-based electronic decoy payload. Once launched from a Mk 53 Decoy Launching System, the round ascends and maintains a controlled hover trajectory above the waterline. During this phase, it emits a strong radar signature to deceive inbound missiles into locking onto the decoy instead of the host vessel.

FONCTION:
Deployed from Mk 53 launcher after threat detection.
Uses solid rocket motor to hover off-board while active.
Emits radar signal mimicking the ship to seduce incoming missiles.

SOURCE:
Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nulka) ; U.S. Navy Fact File PDF on MK 53 DLS ; Lockheed Martin Nulka Brochure PDF ; Australian DSTG “Nulka Decoy” Report ; Forecast International PDF (https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=649)