OVERVIEW: The AN/ALE-70 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) is an expendable electronic countermeasure system designed for 5th generation aircraft, providing off-board jamming against radar-guided threats via a secure fiber-optic link. It enables rapid, dynamic threat response while preserving aircraft stealth and maneuverability.

DETAILS: The AN/ALE-70 is a high-performance towed decoy developed specifically for integration with the F-35 Lightning II's embedded defensive suite. It connects via a fiber-optic cable to the aircraft's onboard Defensive Aids Sub-System (DAS) and Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, transmitting real-time countermeasure signals to mislead enemy radar and missile seekers. Unlike earlier systems, the ALE-70 is optimized for internal carriage and rapid deployment from low-observable aircraft with constrained space and signature requirements. It is designed to counter a wide range of modern radar-guided air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.

The “AN/ALE” designation identifies it as an Airborne Countermeasure, Expendable system, while the ALE-70 variant introduced improved threat processing, compact packaging, and compatibility with stealth airframes. The 2017 configuration was fielded with the Block 3F software baseline of the F-35A and F-35C, supporting full-spectrum operational use.

FUNCTION: Once deployed, the ALE-70 is towed behind the aircraft and communicates through a fiber-optic link with the aircraft’s EW suite, transmitting deceptive jamming signals. It is designed to seduce or break lock from active radar-guided missile seekers and radar tracking systems by simulating aircraft radar signatures or producing targeted jamming.

NOTE:
IOC: 2012 (ALE-70 initial testing), 2017 (ALE-70 full operational use with F-35A/C Block 3F)
Operators: United States
Platforms: F-35A Lightning II, F-35C Lightning II

SOURCE:
U.S. Navy Fact File: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2167284/anale-70-fiber-optic-towed-decoy/ ; BAE Systems: https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/anale-70 ; U.S. Department of Defense Budget Justification Books FY2017 ; Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft ; U.S. Air Force F-35A Systems Engineering Reports