OVERVIEW: The AN/ALE-55 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) is an expendable, fiber-optic-linked electronic countermeasure system designed to protect 4th and 5th generation fighter aircraft from radar-guided missile threats. It transmits jamming signals while being towed at a distance from the host aircraft to draw away enemy radar and missile locks.

DETAILS: The AN/ALE-55 is part of an integrated self-protection system combining an onboard RF countermeasure suite with a towed decoy that operates through a high-speed fiber-optic link. It provides off-board jamming by receiving threat signals via the aircraft’s onboard system, then transmitting deceptive or noise jamming signals to confuse enemy radars and missile seekers. The decoy is optimized to defeat modern monopulse radar-guided threats, including terminal active radar homing missiles. The ALE-55 was developed for aircraft with high maneuverability and limited space for larger ECM pods.

The designation “AN/ALE” denotes an Airborne Countermeasure, Expendable system. The ALE-55 differs from earlier towed decoys by using a fiber-optic cable for real-time communication between the onboard system and the decoy, enabling dynamic threat response. The 2013 configuration incorporated enhanced algorithms and compatibility with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet’s Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) Block 4 system.

FUNCTION: The ALE-55 decoy is deployed from the aircraft and remains connected via a fiber-optic cable. It detects radar threats through the aircraft’s radar warning system, then transmits modulated jamming signals to spoof, seduce, or break missile locks, thereby drawing radar-guided missiles away from the aircraft.

NOTE:
IOC: 2005 (ALE-55 baseline), 2013 (ALE-55 FOTD, Block 4 configuration)
Operators: United States
Platforms: F/A-18E Super Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet

SOURCE:
U.S. Navy Fact File: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2167283/anale-55-fiber-optic-towed-decoy/ ; BAE Systems: https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/anale-55-fiber-optic-towed-decoy ; U.S. Department of Defense Budget Justification Documents ; Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft ; Congressional Research Service Report RL33153