What the Contract Is
Leonardo UK has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to provide advanced active expendable decoys to equip F‑35 Lightning II combat aircraft with enhanced anti‑missile countermeasure capability. These systems are aimed at improving the jets’ survivability against modern radar‑guided threats — especially surface‑to‑air and air‑to‑air missiles — by confusing and luring threats away from the aircraft. (The Defense Post)
The system procured under this contract is designated AN/ALQ‑260(V) by the U.S. military and corresponds to Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 active expendable decoy (AED). It is a compact, battery‑powered device that can be dispensed from standard chaff/flare dispensers already fitted to many fighter aircraft, including the F‑35’s AN/ALE‑47 countermeasure system. (The Defense Post)
What BriteCloud 218 Does
- Active decoy capability: Unlike passive countermeasures (like chaff), BriteCloud actively creates a false radar target using Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology to lure an incoming missile away from the real aircraft. (The Defense Post)
- Off‑board protection: Once deployed, the system broadcasts signals that mimic the aircraft’s radar signature, defeating radar‑guided threats by confusing their tracking systems. (The Defense Post)
- Compatibility: The 2×1×8‑inch form factor makes it compatible with the existing F‑35 countermeasure dispenser system without major integration changes. (The Defense Post)
Contract Details
- Awarding authority: U.S. Navy (NAVAIR). (The Defense Post)
- Scope: Supply of an undisclosed number of BriteCloud 218 AEDs along with initial spare impulse cartridges and related support equipment. (The Defense Post)
- Type of award: Sole‑source contract — meaning Leonardo UK was selected without open competition. The Navy justified this by noting that only Leonardo UK had the requisite technology readiness, infrastructure, and testing qualification to meet the requirements promptly; alternatives would have delayed fielding by up to eight years. (UK Defence Journal)
- Duration: Includes a base year plus an option year. (The Defense Post)
- Quantities: Exact numbers are not publicly disclosed, though earlier planning documents suggested a requirement of 3,000–6,000 units per year. (Breaking Defense)
Strategic & Operational Impact
Enhancing F‑35 Survivability
The F‑35 is one of the most advanced stealth fighters in service today, but stealth alone cannot defeat all modern air defense systems — especially high‑end surface‑to‑air missiles with sophisticated radar and counter‑countermeasure capabilities. Adding fully active expendable decoys like BriteCloud 218 gives F‑35 pilots an additional layer of protection in contested environments. (The Defense Post)
In practical terms:
- Active deception: BriteCloud 218’s DRFM jamming creates a convincing false radar signature that can force an incoming missile to break lock and detonate harmlessly away from the aircraft. (The Defense Post)
- Complements existing systems: It enhances the F‑35’s existing self‑protection suites (e.g., the AN/ASQ‑239 electronic warfare system and limited fiber‑optic towed decoys) rather than replacing them. (The Defense Post)
Industry & Community Commentary
Military Analysts
Observers note that Leonardo’s BriteCloud decoys are being embraced by the U.S. Navy because of their proven effectiveness and rapid fielding timeline. Given the steep development and qualification pathway for advanced countermeasures, switching suppliers would incur long delays and risk capability gaps in protecting frontline jets. (UK Defence Journal)
Online Community Insights
In defence‑focused forums, commentators have highlighted the survivability aspect as being the real value of this contract, noting how decoys like BriteCloud help make stealth aircraft not just hard to detect but harder to kill in a high‑threat environment. Users also point out that if the decoy proves effective on F‑35s, it’s likely NATO allies and other F‑35 operators will adopt similar systems. (Reddit)
🧠 Why This Deal Matters
1️⃣ Significant upgrade to aircraft self‑protection:
Traditionally, fighter jets have relied on chaff and flares or onboard jamming pods. BriteCloud represents a more advanced, active deception capability that can defeat sophisticated radar seekers — crucial in modern integrated air defense scenarios.
Reinforces Leonardo UK’s niche leadership:
The sole‑source award reflects Leonardo UK’s long‑standing work with the UK Ministry of Defence and allied partners to develop and test advanced expendable decoy systems, giving it a unique edge over competitors. (UK Defence Journal)
Strategic interoperability:
Because the system fits existing dispenser hardware, it can be fielded without major platform modifications, making it a practical choice for the U.S. Navy and potentially other allied air forces operating F‑35s. (The Defense Post)
Summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contractor | Leonardo UK Ltd |
| System | Active expendable countermeasure – BriteCloud 218 (AN/ALQ‑260(V)) |
| Awarding Body | U.S. Navy (Naval Air Systems Command) |
| Purpose | Enhance F‑35 survivability against radar‑guided missiles |
| Procurement Type | Sole source (no competition) |
| Support Included | Spare cartridges and equipment |
| Strategic Value | Adds active RF deception capability to F‑35 self‑protection |
Here’s a case‑study and commentary‑rich overview of how Leonardo UK secured a major contract to upgrade F‑35 anti‑missile countermeasure systems — including specific examples of capability use, rationale behind the award, and reactions from industry and defence communities.
Case Study 1 — U.S. Navy Awards Contract for BriteCloud Active Decoys
What Happened
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Leonardo UK Ltd a sole‑source contract to supply active expendable decoys for the F‑35 Lightning II — officially designated AN/ALQ‑260(V). These decoys are built on Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 technology and are intended to improve F‑35 survivability against modern radar‑guided missiles. (The Defense Post)
- Quantity & Value: The exact contract value and number of units are not publicly disclosed, but planning documentation suggested requirements of 3,000–6,000 units per year along with spare cartridges and support gear. (The Defense Post)
- Delivery Timeline: Deliveries are set to begin as early as four months after award, covering a base year and one option year. (The Defense Post)
What the Capability Does
The BriteCloud 218 decoy is a compact, battery‑powered radio‑frequency countermeasure that is dispensed from standard aircraft chaff/flare systems — such as the F‑35’s AN/ALE‑47 dispensers — with minimal integration effort. It actively lures radar‑guided missiles away by simulating a false target using advanced Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) jamming techniques. (The Defense Post)
This represents a significant upgrade over traditional passive chaff, providing active electronic protection to complement the F‑35’s onboard self‑protection suite (e.g., AN/ASQ‑239 electronic warfare system). (The Defense Post)
Why Leonardo UK Was Selected
The U.S. justified a sole‑source award on the basis that Leonardo UK is the only supplier capable of meeting immediate operational requirements without unacceptable delays:
Researchers estimated an alternate supplier would delay fielding by up to eight years, due to the extensive development and qualification work already completed with Leonardo’s BriteCloud technology. (The Defense Post)
This underscores the combination of mature technology and operational readiness that Leonardo has achieved through years of joint development with the UK Ministry of Defence and testing programmes. (The Defense Post)
Case Study 2 — U.S. Air National Guard’s Earlier Testing and Recommendation
Background
Before the Navy contract, the U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) conducted extensive testing of the BriteCloud 218 decoy under the U.S. Department of Defense’s Foreign Comparative Testing programme. (leonardo.com)
Outcome
The ANG issued a positive fielding recommendation, certifying BriteCloud 218 as an effective countermeasure against radar‑guided threats on aircraft such as the F‑16. This operational confidence was a key enabler for later decisions to adopt the decoy on F‑35 platforms and other fighters. (leonardo.com)
Human users evaluating the system noted that the compact 2×1×8‑inch form factor and compatibility with standard dispensers made it an attractive option for providing off‑board jamming without major platform changes. (leonardo.com)
Community and Commentary
Industry Reaction
- Many analysts see this contract as validation of British defence tech leadership in electronic warfare, especially in a domain historically dominated by U.S. firms. Commenters note that the U.S. uptake of Leonardo’s capability reflects confidence in allied interoperability and shared technology standards. (Reddit)
- On defence forums, users often emphasize that survivability upgrades matter as much as performance enhancements in modern combat aircraft — quoting remarks that such decoy systems can extend mission reach and safeguard pilots without altering core aircraft design. (Reddit)
Strategic Considerations
- Some community observers pointed out how unusual it is for a traditionally U.S.‑biased acquisition environment to turn to foreign suppliers for critical survivability systems — interpreting it as a sign of increasing Allied reliance on shared specialised capabilities to counter evolving threats. (Reddit)
Why This Matters
1. Enhancing Stealth Jet Survivability
The F‑35’s stealth profile makes it less visible to radar, but active decoys like BriteCloud move beyond stealth by actively countering radar tracking — crucial against modern integrated air defence systems. (The Defense Post)
2. Plug‑and‑Play Capability
Because BriteCloud 218 fits existing countermeasure dispensers such as the AN/ALE‑47, it requires little to no bespoke integration — a major cost and time saver for fleet upgrades. (The Defense Post)
3. Extended Allied Integration
With the system already recommended by U.S. Air National Guard tests and developed with UK MOD involvement, the contract reinforces the trend toward cross‑national defence technology standards, potentially easing adoption by other NATO operators. (leonardo.com)
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Prime Contractor | Leonardo UK Ltd |
| System | BriteCloud 218 Active Expendable Decoy (AN/ALQ‑260(V)) |
| Awarding Body | U.S. Navy (Naval Air Systems Command) |
| Purpose | Radio‑Frequency countermeasure to enhance F‑35 survivability |
| Delivery | Base year + option year; deliveries begin within months of award |
| Strategic Importance | Provides active protection against advanced radar‑guided threats |
| Community View | Seen as validation of UK defence tech and allied interoperability |
Bottom Line
This contract marks a significant milestone for Leonardo UK’s electronic‑warfare exports and highlights the growing importance of advanced decoy systems in fighter self‑protection suites. The reliance on allied technology also reflects broader shifts in how coalition air forces procure and standardise survivability technologies for fifth‑generation platforms. (The Defense Post)