OVERVIEW: The Ariel Mk 2 FOTRD is an expendable, fiber-optic–linked towed radar decoy designed to protect fast‑jet aircraft from radar-guided missile threats. Developed for high‑performance platforms, it offers enhanced deceptive jamming while maintaining maneuverability at supersonic speeds.

DETAILS: The Ariel Mk 2 is a compact evolution of BAE’s original Ariel decoy, engineered to fit within fighter‑class pod installations and tow via a 100 m Kevlar cable containing fiber‑optic and power conductors . It withstands flight envelopes from Mach 2 and ±9 g, transmitting real-time jamming signals slaved to the aircraft’s techniques generator against monopulse, TWS, and CLOS radars . Its flight body contains photodetectors, TWT amplifiers, antennas, and signal modulators; towed about 100 m for multi-minute deployment duration. Mk 2 increases effective radiated power (from ~150 W to over 500 W), with new antennas and cost reductions compared to Mk 1.

“Ariel” reflects the family name; Mk 2 denotes the second-generation variant refined for fighter pods, with enhanced power and compact avionics. It retains recovery capability, though it's mostly treated as expendable.

FUNCTION: When a radar or missile threat is detected, the aircraft deploys the decoy pod, and the Ariel Mk 2 is towed behind on a fiber-optic cable. It actively retransmits deceptive or repeater jamming signals—slaved to the aircraft’s onboard techniques generator—to seduce or disrupt radar tracking and missile homing.

NOTE:
IOC: Tested in early 2000s; exact IOC unconfirmed, planned SERVICE-entry coinciding with Eurofighter DASS
Operators: United Kingdom (Eurofighter Typhoon), likely others trialed (no confirmed USA/other use)
Platforms: Eurofighter Typhoon (starboard pod), tested on Tornado F.3, Nimrod, fast‑jet trials


SOURCE:
BAE Systems / SELEX Galileo: Praetorian DASS documentation; Free Online Library “Eye of the storm: Eurofighter Typhoon's EW suite…”; Free Online Library “Towed Decoys Come Out of the Black”; Jane’s Electronic Countermeasures Reports.