BriteCloud

BriteCloud is the world’s first Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) Expendable Active Decoy (EAD), which delivers increased platform protection to fast-jet aircraft and their crews against a growing range of airborne and surface-based RF threats.

The self-contained jammer fits standard countermeasure dispensers and so can equip a wide range of platforms. It is designed to disrupt incoming missiles’ RF tracking systems and produce an impressive ‘miss distance’, minimising the risk of a missile exploding close to the platform.

Over the past decade, BriteCloud has been proven for operational use through a rigorous series of trials around the world, with Leonardo electronic warfare (EW) technologists working alongside UK and allied defence forces to confirm the decoy’s full operational capability. This includes the US Air National Guard, which issued a ‘fielding recommendation’ for BriteCloud 218 as part of a Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) programme involving US F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets. The US has subsequently designated BriteCloud 218 as AN/ALQ-260(V)1.

Testing has covered the ‘BriteCloud 55’ variant, which can be launched from a standard 55mm chaff and flare dispenser, and the smaller ‘BriteCloud 218’, which fits into 2”x1”x8” dimensions. Additionally, the BriteCloud 55-T variant is designed to protect large military transport aircraft.

Trials Programme Timeline

2014-2016 – BriteCloud trials undertaken with Royal Air Force

As part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) investment in BriteCloud, the Royal Air Force (RAF) conducted initial trials on Tornado in early 2014. This was followed by a further trial in the USA during October 2015 using the Tornado GR4.

In supporting the US trials, extensive modelling and simulation of the various engagement scenarios was performed using Tactical Engagement Simulation Software (TESS) produced by Leonardo. TESS was utilised before, during and after the trials, with excellent correlation between the simulated and real world data.

2015 – Saab Gripen fighter aircraft successfully deploys BriteCloud

Swedish defence company, Saab, was the first to offer the decoy as an EW enhancement option on all versions of its Gripen fast jet, including the Gripen E. The aircraft is used extensively by the Swedish Air Force, and exported to other forces in Europe, South Africa and Thailand.

Saab’s first trials took place in Sweden during early 2015, using BriteCloud 55 which is compatible with the standard chaff and flare dispenser size operated by Gripen and other fighter aircraft including Typhoon. During three flights, BriteCloud was successfully deployed from a Gripen fighter.

2016 – Developing and testing BriteCloud 218

The successful trials of BriteCloud 55 by the Swedish Air Force and RAF were followed by the testing of BriteCloud 218, a smaller variant which is compatible with aircraft that use this standard size of flare cartridge, such as the widely-operated F-16 and F-15.

The 218 system was tested by the Royal Danish Air Force on one of their F-16 aircraft, fitting directly into the F-16’s standard flare dispenser with no integration work required. During the mission, the jet dispensed BriteCloud 218 in response to being locked onto by a real radar-guided surface-to-air missile targeting system. This trial proved that the technology has been successfully adapted into the smaller format and that it could be easily and quickly integrated onto a new platform type.

2016 – RAF purchases BriteCloud

The successful initial evaluation of BriteCloud led the RAF to purchase a significant number of the decoys in September 2016. This was part of a second stage to extend evaluation of BriteCloud’s protective effect with the RAF’s fleet of Tornado jets, and develop a ‘concept of operations’ (CONOPS) for the technology, which characterises the decoy’s behaviour in realistic scenarios and develops procedures for combat use.

2017 – A new impetus in BriteCloud development

In 2017, ongoing development of BriteCloud and associated EAD technology was strengthened further by Leonardo signing up as the first company to partner with the RAF’s newly-established Rapid Capability Office (RCO). The RCO was established to develop defence technologies and capabilities in a faster more streamlined fashion.

2018 – BriteCloud-T variant unveiled

The 55-T decoy is designed to protect large military transport aircraft such as Leonardo’s C27-J and third party platforms including the C-130, KC-390 and A400M from modern, radar-guided missiles.

2018 – BriteCloud goes into service with the Royal Air Force (RAF)

BriteCloud was cleared for service on the RAF’s fleet of Tornado GR4 aircraft, with Leonardo delivering a quantity of the countermeasures to the RAF for operations.

2019 – Leonardo conducts BriteCloud 55 trials for UK Typhoon

Leonardo was contracted by the UK MOD to support a series of trials in which BriteCloud 55 was being trialled for operations with the RAF’s fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

2022 – UK, Italian, Danish trials conducted

Trials involving Leonardo and the RAF with Italian Tornado aircraft and Danish F-16s proved the effectiveness of new decoy techniques, readying the countermeasure for future threats. The trials involved programming both the BriteCloud 55 and 218 with new threat-defeating waveforms, enhancing the range of techniques that BriteCloud can employ against threat radars.

2022 – U.S. Air National Guard issues ‘fielding recommendation’ for BriteCloud 218

Following successful trials under the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) programme on US F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, the US Air National Guard issued a ‘fielding recommendation’ for BriteCloud 218. The US subsequently designated BriteCloud 218 as AN/ALQ-260(V)1, identifying it as an airborne electronic warfare countermeasure.