OVERVIEW: The ADM-141A TALD (Tactical Air-Launched Decoy) is an expendable, unpowered glide decoy designed to simulate radar signatures of combat aircraft and confuse enemy air defense systems. It is launched in large salvos to saturate and distract radar-guided interceptors and missile batteries.

DETAILS: TALD stands for Tactical Air-Launched Decoy. The ADM-141A was originally developed by Brunswick Corporation and later produced under license by Israel Military Industries (IMI), including under the "Samson" designation for Israeli service. It features a digital autopilot for pre-programmed flight paths, pop-out wings for extended glide range, and Luneburg lenses for radar signature enhancement. The airframe is modular, allowing fitment of either passive reflectors (ADM-141A) or active radar enhancers (ADM-141B).

FUNCTION: Once deployed from high-altitude launch platforms, the TALD glides along pre-programmed trajectories while presenting a radar signature that mimics that of a real combat aircraft. Its primary function is to trigger enemy radar systems and missile launches prematurely, clearing the path for actual strike aircraft.

NOTE:
IOC: 1987 (ADM-141A TALD)
Operators: United States, Israel
Platforms: F/A-18 Hornet, A-6E Intruder, F-14 Tomcat, A-7 Corsair II
Conflict used in: Operation Desert Storm (1991), Israeli regional exercises (unconfirmed)

SOURCE:
Jane’s Weapons: Air-Launched ; U.S. Navy Fact File ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/tald.htm ; GlobalSecurity.org: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/tald.htm ; Israel Military Industries (IMI) Archived Brochures ; Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-141_TALD