OVERVIEW: The J/ALQ‑9 is an expendable electronic countermeasure device reportedly developed by Japan for airborne use. It is designed to act as a radar jamming decoy, disrupting enemy radar-guided missile targeting systems after deployment.

DETAILS: While the designation J/ALQ‑9 is not officially documented in open sources, it aligns with Japan’s convention for indigenous airborne electronic warfare systems. The system is believed to function similarly to Western towed or ejected active decoys, deploying away from the aircraft to seduce radar-guided threats. It likely operates by emitting jamming signals or creating false targets, diverting radar lock-on from the host aircraft. Expendable decoys such as this are used in high-threat environments where internal jammers or flare/chaff may be insufficient. The specific emission bands, deployment mechanism, and power output of the J/ALQ‑9 are not publicly disclosed.

FONCTION: The J/ALQ‑9 would be dispensed from a dedicated launcher system aboard compatible aircraft, likely using a timed or sensor-driven ejection protocol. Once released, it autonomously activates its onboard emitter to create a more attractive radar target than the aircraft itself, drawing incoming missiles away from the platform.

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