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BriteCloud

BriteCloud is a battery-powered, self-contained expendable active utilizing Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology, designed to protect fast-jet and from radio frequency (RF)-guided missiles and fire control radars by creating false targets and obscuring the real aircraft's position. Developed by (now part of Leonardo) and first announced in 2013, it represents the world's first such DRFM jammer deployable from standard countermeasure dispensers without requiring aircraft modifications, addressing vulnerabilities like "home-on-jam" effects common in traditional onboard jammers. The system operates on a principle, launching like conventional or flares to generate Doppler-shifted replicas and range gate deception, achieving large miss distances against advanced threats including those with chaff discrimination and velocity gating capabilities. Key variants include the BriteCloud 55, sized at 55 mm for compatibility with European dispensers on platforms like the , Saab Gripen, and ; the BriteCloud 218 (US designation AN/ALQ-260(V)1), measuring 2×1×8 inches for U.S. systems such as the F-16 and F-35; and the BriteCloud 55-T, a higher-power version for like the C-130, upgraded in 2024 to meet STANAG 4781 standards for smart countermeasures. These variants are mission-load programmable and have reached 9 through extensive testing. Development began in collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence around 2012, with initial investments totaling £27 million by 2019, including flight trials starting in 2014 on a Gripen and evaluations by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2015. The RAF certified and fielded BriteCloud 55 for Tornado GR4 in 2018 and tested it on Typhoon FGR4 in 2019, marking its operational debut. Subsequent trials under the U.S. Foreign Comparative Testing program on F-16s led to a fielding recommendation by the U.S. Air National Guard in 2022, with recommendations for broader use. Recent adoptions highlight its growing role in modern air forces: the has trialed it on Gripen platforms and offers it as an option, while the Danish Air Force has tested it on F-16 platforms; in December 2024, the U.S. awarded Leonardo a $32.9 million sole-source contract for BriteCloud 218 units to enhance F-35 self-protection, including spares and support equipment. The U.S. Navy also plans to procure up to 6,000 units for F-35 and F/A-18 aircraft as of 2025, underscoring BriteCloud's effectiveness against emerging RF threats in contested environments.

Background and Development

Historical Context

In the early , the proliferation of advanced radar-guided surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and air-to-air missiles (AAMs) posed escalating challenges to survivability, driven by integrations of enhanced electronic protection measures (EPM) including agile waveform tracking and low-probability-of-intercept radars that improved resistance to detection and . These systems, often retrofitted into highly mobile and maneuverable platforms, incorporated (ECCM) to discriminate against deceptive signals, rendering legacy defenses less effective against (RF) threats. Traditional countermeasures, such as and flares for and decoying, along with towed decoys for active , exhibited critical limitations in confronting these modern RF-guided threats; clouds provided only transient confusion against agile s, while flares were irrelevant to radar homing, and towed decoys—reliant on umbilically connected cables for power and data—lacked the processing power, spectrum coverage, and flexibility of onboard systems, making them vulnerable to "home-on-jam" guidance modes. This gap necessitated a new class of expendable, self-contained active decoys capable of autonomous, high-fidelity without platform integration burdens. To bridge these deficiencies in fast-jet self-protection against radar-homing missiles, (now part of Leonardo) conceived BriteCloud in 2013 as an innovative expendable active leveraging digital radio frequency (DRFM) to enable precise signal and threat seduction. Developed in collaboration with the UK's (DSTL) and , the concept emphasized compatibility with standard 55mm flare dispensers to facilitate rapid deployment on existing aircraft.

Development Timeline

The development of BriteCloud began in 2013 under Selex ES, a Finmeccanica company specializing in electronic warfare systems, with the project officially launched on November 6 at the Churchill War Rooms in London. This initiative aimed to create an expendable digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) jammer compatible with existing aircraft dispensers, addressing vulnerabilities to advanced radar-guided threats. Selex ES, whose activities were integrated into Leonardo in 2016 as part of Finmeccanica's restructuring (which rebranded to Leonardo S.p.A. in 2017), continued advancing the technology under the new entity. Early efforts focused on miniaturizing sophisticated jamming components to fit within standard 55mm chaff and flare cartridges, overcoming significant engineering hurdles in power management, signal processing, and environmental resilience to ensure reliable deployment without requiring major platform modifications. Prototyping progressed through initial ground and flight trials, with the UK Ministry of Defence providing £25 million in funding in 2015 to support development, including integration testing on platforms like the . By 2016, successful live-fire demonstrations validated the decoy's ejection and operation from standard dispensers, paving the way for broader evaluations. Milestone approvals accelerated in 2018, when the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed operational service entry for the BriteCloud 55 variant with the , enabling initial deliveries and fleet integration. Concurrently, international interest grew, with U.S. evaluations beginning around 2019 through collaborations involving the and other entities to assess compatibility with American aircraft. The transition to production gained momentum with the BriteCloud 218 variant, designed for larger dispensers like the MJU-61/66. In 2021, Leonardo achieved full operational capability certification during U.S. flight certification trials, securing approval for deployment across U.S. forces and designating it as AN/ALQ-260(V)1. This milestone marked the system's maturation from prototype to combat-ready , with subsequent U.S. Seek Eagle Office clearance in 2022 for F-16 integration.

Testing and Evaluation

The testing and evaluation of BriteCloud began with a series of trials in 2019 under the UK's Project Centurion, focusing on integration with the . In April 2019, Typhoons from No. 41 Squadron dispensed 33 BriteCloud 55 rounds during simulated threat engagements, demonstrating the decoy's ability to successfully counter radar-guided surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) by generating false targets and disrupting seeker heads. These trials, conducted as part of the UK's evaluation, confirmed the system's compatibility with the Typhoon's countermeasures dispenser and its effectiveness against advanced radar threats without requiring significant aircraft modifications. In 2017, the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) conducted evaluations of BriteCloud 218 on F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, validating its plug-and-play integration into standard flare dispensers. During live-fire exercises, an RDAF F-16 successfully launched BriteCloud 218 rounds in response to a real threat, with the decoy effectively jamming seekers and diverting the missile, proving its high operational reliability in a tactical scenario. These tests highlighted the system's ability to provide robust protection against modern air-to-air and surface-to-air threats, requiring no dedicated integration efforts on the F-16 platform. Compatibility testing extended to unmanned platforms in late 2020 with trials on the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drone. Integrated via the Self-Protection Pod (SPP) and dispenser, BriteCloud demonstrated seamless deployment from the UAV, effectively countering simulated radar-guided threats during flight tests. These evaluations confirmed the decoy's suitability for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enhancing survivability for reconnaissance and strike missions in contested environments. From 2019 to 2021, the US () led an extensive Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) program, including live-fire trials on F-16C/D aircraft, which culminated in a fielding recommendation for BriteCloud 218, designated AN/ALQ-260(V)1. The trials, involving multiple engagements against representative threats, verified the decoy's effectiveness in disrupting radar-guided missiles, leading to US approval as an airborne countermeasure. This period's evaluations established BriteCloud's performance benchmarks for US platforms, emphasizing its role in end-game protection. In 2024, the US Navy initiated evaluations for BriteCloud integration on the F-35 Lightning II, focusing on enhancing the fighter's self-protection suite against advanced threats. Preliminary assessments confirmed the decoy's compatibility with the F-35's countermeasures systems. In December 2024, the U.S. awarded Leonardo a $32.9 million contract for BriteCloud 218 units, spares, and support equipment to equip F-35C variants. A in March 2025 demonstrated successful deployment from an F-35, and as of July 2025, the Navy planned to procure up to 6,000 units for F-35 and F/A-18 aircraft. These developments underscore BriteCloud's adaptability to fifth-generation aircraft, building on prior validations to address evolving air defense challenges.

Design and Operation

Core Technology

BriteCloud employs a Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) architecture as its foundational technology, enabling the system to capture incoming enemy pulses, digitize and store them in , and then retransmit modified versions to deceive systems. This process involves advanced algorithms that alter the captured signals—such as introducing Doppler shifts or range gate modifications—to generate convincing false targets, thereby obscuring the genuine signature and countering modern tracking capabilities like velocity search and home-on-jam modes. The self-contained design of BriteCloud eliminates the need for external power or wiring, relying instead on an integrated to power its operations, which allows for seamless integration into standard and dispensers on fast-jet . It operates across the H-J bands (6-20 GHz), providing broad coverage against a wide of RF-guided threats, including surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. This ensures the functions independently post-dispense, reducing vulnerability to counter-detection by the host platform. In terms of , BriteCloud is engineered to be compact and expendable, with the BriteCloud 55 variant sized approximately like a soda can (55 mm diameter, 1.1 kg) for compatibility with dispensers, while the BriteCloud 218 measures 2×1×8 inches (0.5 kg) for U.S. systems. It incorporates integrated antennas providing all-around coverage, ensuring effective threat engagement without requiring precise orientation. This lightweight, disposable hardware configuration prioritizes rapid, high-volume dispensing to saturate environments with multiple deceptive signals.

Operational Principles

BriteCloud operates as an expendable active launched from standard dispensers, compatible with 55mm magazines for the BriteCloud 55 variant or 2×1×8 inch formats for the BriteCloud 218, enabling seamless integration without platform modifications. Upon ejection, the self-contained, battery-powered unit activates immediately, separating from the to establish a protective distance while scanning for incoming radar-guided threats. This rapid deployment process ensures quick activation, positioning the decoy to intercept missiles in their terminal phase. The core jamming functionality relies on Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology, which captures and digitizes incoming pulses before retransmitting altered signals to spoof threats. In digital spoofing mode, BriteCloud generates multiple virtual targets by modulating the responses to replicate the aircraft's radar cross-section, , and , thereby confusing the missile's seeker and breaking its lock on the real platform. Programmable algorithms allow the decoy to adapt its output in , either mimicking specific aircraft signatures for or emitting disruptive waveforms to deny target tracks, providing all-around coverage via its integrated antennas. Tactically, BriteCloud excels in end-game protection by drawing radar-guided missiles away from the aircraft, achieving large miss distances that minimize proximity detonation risks during close-range engagements. Its autonomous operation post-dispensing contrasts with towed decoys, which demand pilot intervention for deployment and maneuvering, thereby reducing cognitive workload in high-threat environments. Furthermore, the system's coherent DRFM responses effectively counter advanced radars using Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM), including agile waveforms and Electronic Protective Measures (EPM), while mitigating "home-on-jam" vulnerabilities common in less sophisticated jammers.

Variants

BriteCloud 55

The BriteCloud 55 is the baseline variant of the expendable active system, designed specifically for deployment from 55mm diameter NATO-standard and dispensers on fast-jet . Measuring 55mm in diameter and weighing 1.1 kg, it integrates seamlessly with existing countermeasures s on platforms such as the and Saab Gripen, allowing pilots to launch it alongside traditional without requiring modifications to the 's dispenser units. Optimized for countering radar-guided threats in the H-J frequency band, which encompasses the X-band commonly used by advanced surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles, the BriteCloud 55 employs a self-contained frequency memory (DRFM) jammer to detect, analyze, and spoof incoming signals by generating false targets. Its provides approximately 10 seconds of operational life post-dispense, sufficient to divert threats and create a safe separation distance for the launching . Initial testing of the BriteCloud 55 occurred in 2018, leading to its clearance for service with the (RAF) on the GR4 fleet that same year, where Leonardo delivered units for operational use. Subsequent trials on the RAF's began in April 2019, demonstrating its effectiveness in protecting fast jets from modern radar-guided missiles during live-fire scenarios. Primary use cases include enhancing survivability in high-threat environments for legacy and current , particularly against agile, threats where traditional passive decoys prove insufficient.

BriteCloud 218

The BriteCloud 218 is a miniaturized variant of the BriteCloud expendable active decoy, measuring 2 inches by 1 inch by 8 inches, designed specifically for compatibility with 2-inch square-format dispensers on . It received the military designation AN/ALQ-260(V)1 following approval by the Department of Defense after extensive testing, including flight trials on F-16 in 2021. This variant operates across the H/J frequency bands, enabling effective countermeasures against radar-guided threats in those spectra using digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) jamming techniques. In December 2024, the awarded Leonardo a $32.9 million sole-source to integrate BriteCloud 218 into the F-35 Lightning II's self-protection suite, ordering thousands of units for deployment on fifth-generation fighters. Key enhancements in the BriteCloud 218 include improved resistance to electronic protective measures (EPM) through its off-board DRFM design, which mitigates "home-on-jam" vulnerabilities common in onboard jammers.

BriteCloud 55-T

The BriteCloud 55-T represents an enhanced 55mm expendable active tailored for larger , building on the original 55mm form factor to address the unique protection needs of platforms with greater cross-sections. It features a self-contained battery-powered frequency memory (DRFM) jammer optimized for H-J band operation, providing increased power output and extended endurance compared to fighter-oriented variants. This design enables effective "end-game" protection against advanced -guided missiles by generating powerful ghost signatures that lure threats away from the host . The is compatible with standard 55mm and dispensers found on transports such as the C-130, A400M, and C-27J, allowing rapid deployment without modifications to existing systems. In 2024, Leonardo introduced significant upgrades to the BriteCloud 55-T, focusing on integration with smart dispensing systems through compliance with STANAG 4781, the standard for smart stores communication interfaces. This allows real-time data exchange between the and the aircraft's self-protection suite, facilitating programmable sequencing for optimized release patterns tailored to specific threat scenarios. Additional features include automatic recognition of expendable types during flight and logging of operational data, such as air carriage life, to streamline and . These enhancements improve overall effectiveness by enabling adaptive responses to evolving threats without requiring manual intervention. Testing of the BriteCloud 55-T included evaluation on the General Atomics unmanned aerial system in late 2020, where it demonstrated reliable carriage, release, and performance in aircraft survivability trials. These assessments confirmed its suitability for low-altitude environments, where transport and special mission face heightened risks from surface-to-air missiles during operations like troop insertions or humanitarian missions. The variant's increased power and jamming adaptability proved particularly valuable in such scenarios, drawing away from the platform with high reliability.

Applications and Integrations

Aircraft Platforms

BriteCloud expendable active decoys have been integrated into several fast jet platforms to enhance radar threat countermeasures, with initial operational adoption by the United Kingdom's on the GR4, and subsequent integration on the following trials in 2019. In April 2019, the RAF's No. 41 Squadron conducted the first trials of the BriteCloud 55 on aircraft, successfully dispensing 33 rounds against simulated threats during live-fire exercises at a test range. Integration efforts continued thereafter as part of a broader program to equip the fleet with advanced capabilities. The decoy fits into the aircraft's standard countermeasures dispensers without requiring modifications, providing programmable jamming to spoof incoming missiles. The Royal Danish Air Force tested the BriteCloud 218 variant on its F-16 Fighting Falcon in 2020, achieving successful deployment from the aircraft's standard flare dispenser during a live-fire exercise against a threat. This trial demonstrated the decoy's compatibility with the F-16's , marking an early adoption milestone for fourth-generation fighters beyond the . The integration required no hardware changes to the dispenser, allowing seamless incorporation into operational missions. Through a partnership with established in 2013, BriteCloud has been qualified for the JAS 39 Gripen fighter across its variants, enabling optional upgrades for both new and legacy aircraft. Successful end-to-end trials in 2014 confirmed safe and effective release from the Gripen's standard countermeasures dispenser, validating its and performance in a multi-role environment. The has integrated BriteCloud on its JAS 39 Gripen fighters as of 2024. This collaboration positions BriteCloud as a readily available enhancement for Gripen operators worldwide. For fifth-generation platforms, the U.S. awarded Leonardo a $32.9 million contract in December 2024 for BriteCloud 218 units, designated AN/ALQ-260(V)1, primarily for integration on the F-35 Lightning II to bolster its self-protection suite against advanced radar-guided threats, with the U.S. planning to procure up to 6,000 units in total for F-35 and F/A-18 aircraft. This procurement supports both Navy and Air Force F-35 variants, with the decoy designed to complement the aircraft's Distributed Aperture System by providing localized, expendable jamming in high-threat scenarios. The AN/ALQ-260(V)1 fits existing dispensers on the F-35, enhancing endgame protection without compromising stealth characteristics. On legacy platforms, BriteCloud entered service with the RAF's Panavia Tornado GR4 in 2018, serving as an upgrade during its final operational phase prior to retirement in March 2019. Potential integrations extend to other legacy and transport types, including the F/A-18 Hornet series, as the U.S. Navy evaluates BriteCloud for broader fixed-wing applications alongside the F-35. The BriteCloud 55-T variant, introduced in 2018, is designed for compatibility with transport aircraft like the C-130 Hercules, with no formal trials publicly confirmed as of November 2025.

Related Programs

The SPEAR-EW program represents a key extension of BriteCloud technology into missile-based capabilities. Developed by , SPEAR-EW is an variant of the missile family, where the traditional warhead and seeker are replaced with a miniaturized digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) derived from BriteCloud to enable standoff against enemy air defenses. This adaptation allows the missile to function as a stand-in jammer, similar to the ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD), by generating deceptive signals to confuse and suppress systems while protecting friendly aircraft. The program's development was announced in January 2020 through a collaboration between and Leonardo, with initial demonstrations focusing on integration into platforms like the . Building on BriteCloud's DRFM core, the StormShroud program marks a significant adaptation for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in (SEAD) roles. Launched in May 2025, this (RAF) initiative integrates Leonardo's BriteStorm payload—leveraging BriteCloud's miniaturized DRFM technology—into the AR3 UAS to create swarming decoys capable of radar jamming and deception. The £19 million contract supports production of an initial batch of around 24 units, enabling autonomous operations that mimic manned aircraft signatures to overwhelm adversary defenses in high-threat environments. StormShroud entered service on May 2, 2025, enhancing RAF tactics by providing low-cost, attritable assets for electronic attack missions.

Partners and Future Prospects

Key Collaborators

The primary developer of BriteCloud is Leonardo S.p.A., which assumed responsibility following the 2017 merger of its subsidiary Selex ES, with core manufacturing facilities located in the United Kingdom and Italy. Key industry integrators include Saab in Sweden, which has incorporated BriteCloud into the electronic warfare suite of its Gripen aircraft through successful flight trials and dispenser compatibility demonstrations since 2015. BAE Systems in the United Kingdom has supported BriteCloud's compatibility with the Eurofighter Typhoon, enabling its use alongside the aircraft's integrated self-protection systems, including chaff, flares, and electronic countermeasures. Government backers have played a pivotal role in BriteCloud's advancement and adoption. The UK Ministry of Defence provided initial funding starting in 2012, investing approximately £27 million by 2019 to support development, trials, and procurement for Royal Air Force platforms. The US Department of Defense has awarded multiple contracts, including a $32.9 million deal in 2024 through the Naval Air Systems Command for BriteCloud 218 integration on F-35 aircraft, alongside evaluations by the Air National Guard for F-16 use. The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization has facilitated trials of BriteCloud variants on Royal Danish Air Force F-16s, confirming operational compatibility as part of broader electronic warfare enhancements.

Production and Upgrades

BriteCloud production has been conducted at Leonardo's facilities in , , with serial manufacturing ramping up following initial operational clearance for the Royal Air Force's Tornado GR4 in 2018, and subsequent integration on the . The system entered low-rate initial production prior to this, enabling delivery of hundreds of units initially, and has since scaled to support export demands, including plans for thousands of units annually through contracts like the U.S. Navy's of up to 6,000 active expendable decoys. Export approvals have facilitated integration into U.S. and ally platforms, with the BriteCloud 218 receiving the U.S. designation AN/ALQ-260(V) and a $32.9 million awarded to Leonardo in December 2024 for F-35 self-protection. interoperability is enhanced by adherence to standards like STANAG-4781, allowing deployment across allied fast-jet and without major modifications. In 2024, Leonardo introduced upgrades to the BriteCloud 55-T variant, incorporating smart dispense capabilities that enable communication with the host aircraft's self-protection system via the Smart Stores Communication Interface (SSCI). These enhancements support mixed expendable loads in dispensers, automatic payload logging for logistics such as air carriage life, and full compliance with STANAG-4781 for improved threat response in contested environments. Future developments focus on broader integration with advanced architectures, including ongoing trials for F-35 platforms to enhance overall mission survivability against evolving radar-guided threats. In September 2025, at , Leonardo announced further details on BriteCloud enhancements within its broader offerings, including integration with systems like BriteStorm.

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