OVERVIEW: The AN/ALE-55 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) is an expendable, off-board electronic countermeasure system designed to protect aircraft from radar-guided missile threats using a real-time fiber-optic link. The 2021 variant adapted the system for large maritime patrol aircraft, notably the P-8A Poseidon, to enhance survivability during anti-submarine and ISR missions.

DETAILS: The ALE-55 combines onboard RF threat detection and signal processing with a towed decoy that transmits jamming signals through a high-bandwidth fiber-optic cable. Originally deployed on tactical fighters, the system was later integrated on the P-8A Poseidon to provide persistent self-protection against radar-guided surface-to-air and air-to-air missile threats. The decoy receives threat data from the aircraft’s radar warning receivers and relays tailored jamming responses back through the cable. Unlike expendable chaff or flares, the ALE-55 can sustain and adapt its jamming output dynamically over time.

The “AN/ALE” designation identifies this as an Airborne, Countermeasure, Expendable system. The FOTD configuration fielded for the P-8A in 2021 was modified to function with the P-8A’s specific mission avionics and electronic warfare architecture. This integration required compatibility with the aircraft’s onboard self-protection suite and tailored aerodynamic housing for maritime operational profiles.

FUNCTION: Upon detection of hostile radar emissions, the ALE-55 decoy is deployed from the aircraft and towed behind it, connected via a fiber-optic cable. It transmits deceptive jamming or noise to mislead radar-guided missiles or surveillance radars, drawing targeting systems away from the host aircraft.

NOTE:
IOC: 2005 (ALE-55 baseline), 2021 (ALE-55 FOTD, P-8A variant)
Operators: United States
Platforms: P-8A Poseidon

SOURCE:
U.S. Navy Fact File: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2167283/anale-55-fiber-optic-towed-decoy/ ; U.S. Department of Defense FY2021 Budget Justification Books (P-8A Poseidon) ; BAE Systems: https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/anale-55-fiber-optic-towed-decoy ; Jane’s Air-Launched Weapons ; Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) briefing documents