Page 7 - DSEi JAPAN 2023 - DAY 2 | DAILY NEWS

Fired like a flare, BriteCloud contains a
powerful miniature jammer that sends
out convincing ‘electronic decoy’ sig-
nals that seduce incoming missiles
towards the decoy as it falls away
from the aircraft. BriteCloud is unique
in that it employs ‘gold-standard’ RF
technology known as Digital Radio
Frequency Memory (DRFM), which
allows BriteCloud to tailor its ‘electronic
decoy’ signal to the specific threat radar,
allowing it to fool the radar in the most
effective possible way.

BriteCloud is now undergoing evalu-
ation for potential service with U.S.
Armed Forces under the Office of
Secretary of Defence (OSD) Foreign
Comparative Testing (FCT) programme.
The U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) has
issued a ‘fielding recommendation’
for Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 variant,
LEONARDO’S BRITECLOUD EXPENDABLE tested on US F-16 Fighting Falcon air-
craft. This means that the service, which
ACTIVE DECOY MAKES SHOW DEBUT has conducted an extensive testing and
live trials campaign with BriteCloud
Leonardo is exhibiting its world-first can be carried by combat, transport and since 2019, is confident that the decoy
BriteCloud expendable active decoy for special mission aircraft. BriteCloud could meets and, in some instances, even
the first time in Japan at the ongoing also be effectively used by the Japan Air exceeds operational requirements,
DSEI. A company official said BriteCloud Self-Defence Force’s F-2 fighter jets and delivering an increased platform protec-
was being showcased in Japan in the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s tion capability to 4th generation fighter
response to an increase in requirements P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. “BriteCloud’s aircraft like the F-16. The U.S. ANG has
for sophisticated RF protection across unique combination of latest-generation designated the BriteCloud 218 as AN/
the Asia Pacific region. BriteCloud threat protection with extremely low ALQ-260(V)1 in US service. Leonardo’s
is a life-saving countermeasure that integration costs continues to generate original BriteCloud 55 decoy (a slightly
provides high-tech protection from larger variant, compatible with round
radar-guided surface-to-air and air-to- significant international interest and 55mm flare dispensers such as those
air missiles. The official said that many Leonardo is in talks with a number of Air on the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab
regional operators have expressed an Forces internationally about the capabil- Gripen C/D), is in service with the UK
interest in BriteCloud, adding that it ity,” the official noted. Royal Air Force.

warhead allows for a reduction in the
MBDA SPEAR-EW number of different weapons within a
TARGETS SEAD load-out while extending the operator’s
air-to-ground capability with a low col-
MISSIONS lateral damage. It also provides high
aircraft survivability.
MBDA is showcasing its SPEAR-EW
offering at the ongoing show, in addition MBDA is also showcasing its Naval
to a wide range of missile armament. Based Air Defence (NBAD) capabil-
According to a company spokesperson, ity with the CAMM (Common Anti-air
the SPEAR-EW is being offered as a Modular Missile) and the Sea Ceptor
solution to a wide range of Suppression MBDA’s SPEAR family of network-en- ship-based, all weather, weapon system.
of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions. abled precision surface attack missiles CAMM provides a high rate of fire
Integrating the proven SPEAR airframe is being promoted at the show as the against multiple simultaneous targets,
with a miniaturised Electronic Warfare solution for a strike weapon that can thanks to its novel soft vertical launch
(EW) payload also provides both stand-in operate in all conditions, against severe technology that also provides a minimal
jammer and decoy capabilities, greatly countermeasures, and attack moving and launch signature and 360° coverage.
increasing platform survivability and manoeuvring targets. Its beyond-the-hori- Being a compact munition allows for a
acting as a significant force multiplier zon reach ensures its launching fighter multiple weapons fit in limited spaces,
in a complex anti access/area denial jet remains safely away from hostile and CAMM can be ‘quad-packed’ into
(A2AD) threat environment. air defence units. The precision effects the Mk 41 VLS.

DSEi JAPAN 2023 MARCH-16-2023 7