Leonardo has introduced its latest electronic warfare (EW) system, BriteStorm, aimed at enhancing air defence suppression capabilities.

The system was unveiled on October 14, 2024, and is designed to provide armed forces with a new tool for stand-in jamming, offering greater protection for both crewed and uncrewed platforms during military operations.

BriteStorm is an evolution of Leonardo’s BriteCloud technology, an Expendable Active Decoy (EAD) used to disrupt radio frequency (RF) missiles.

Unlike BriteCloud, which acts as a last-resort defence mechanism, BriteStorm is designed to operate earlier in a mission, disrupting adversary radar and air defence systems before they can engage with friendly forces. According to Mark Randall, Campaign Manager for Electronic Warfare at Leonardo, “Platforms installed with a BriteStorm payload can deploy ahead to create confusion, so that enemy Integrated Air Defence Systems (IADS) are unable to detect, track, and attempt to engage friendly assets.”

The system utilises Leonardo’s Miniature Techniques Generator (MTG), paired with various antennas and Transmit Receive Modules (TRMs), allowing it to be integrated onto a wide range of platforms, including uncrewed systems.

This provides flexibility and reduces the need for larger, more powerful systems traditionally used for stand-off jamming operations. Andrew Ingram, Head of Capability for Electronic Warfare at Leonardo, explained that the stand-in jamming approach reduces the need for high-power systems, making it more suitable for closer operations.

BriteStorm’s digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) technology enables it to employ a variety of electronic warfare techniques, such as creating “ghost” signatures of aircraft or jamming enemy systems with electronic noise. This aims to reduce the effectiveness of enemy IADS by creating confusion and disrupting their ability to track and engage with real threats.

Developed at Leonardo’s electronic warfare facility in Luton, UK, BriteStorm has already undergone live trials as part of its development. Its ability to be integrated onto multiple platforms is expected to offer flexibility for armed forces, providing options for both current and future missions.

The system’s design allows it to be deployed using lower-cost uncrewed platforms, reducing the risks associated with using larger, strategic assets.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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60 COMMENTS

    • If it is high tech i hope is not employed in expendable devices. Otherwise a couple months after employment the enemy will have a copy.

      • Probably only have the software flashed to it for the job in hand.

        This used to be the preserve of EW specialists. Clearly about to become a lot more generalised.

    • Given all we know about the issues with training and fielding drones, putting a new disposable drone into the mix and making it an operational capability for a squadron that’s still new to the task is going to be a tough ask anyway. My guess it will take all of next year just to get used to fielding them, and they’ll do that before adding extra tech if it’s applicable.

      Do we even know what the new tier 1 drone is supposed to achieve? Everything else in the strategy is years away, but this one objective is a this-year thing, and 216 is converted over to adopt it (we assume). There are several tier 1 use cases mentioned in the strategy, but the speed this will be made operational suggests it’s something the RAF already have or have tested. Banshee perhaps, or Auklet whatever that is?

  2. Totally OT, but newsworthy.
    The RAMS is formed today, merging the RAMC,RADC,QARANC.
    The RAVC becomes a part of the RE.
    George, will there be an article?

      • Oh come on…….
        I thought we’d trained you up properly…
        Young man…More homework, less fantasy Boxer modules!

        Royal Army Medical Service.
        Royal Army Dental Corps.
        Queen Alexandrias Royal Army Nursing Corps.
        Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
        Royal Engineers.
        😆

        • As of today I am starting a notebook of acronyms so I can look them up.
          I doubt it will help me though. As far as I can tell you have never repeated the same one twice.
          I like fantasy boxer modules. Also fantasy missiles. Also fantasy ships.
          I was actually doing homework this evening. Chemistry 😔

          • “As far as I can tell you have never repeated the same one twice.”😂 !!

            I know you do, my young apprentice.

            Chemistry? Must be useful somewhere in BAES. Or you might end up as a boffin in DSTLs CBRD or, more apt for your tastes, PSD….😉

          • What’s PSD?
            Not Personal Security Details, surely?
            It isn’t in the pdf, you got me.
            BAE is the long term hope, working in government sounds boring.

          • It’s a Division in DSTL, working on platforms so developing kit for land, sea, air.
            Located, primarily, at Portsdown West I believe.
            The CBR Division is of course at Porton Down.

          • Sounds good.
            CBR just sounds scary.
            Watched a documentary on it a few days ago, I’d be scared witless of dropping something the whole time.
            Besides, I’m not the greatest at chemistry practicals.

          • No, but I have friends who do.
            More of a strategy turn-based guy myself, with a little bit of tank combat and sailing simulators.
            Btw, just found the Gov.uk PDF file on “MOD acronyms and abbreviations”.
            I win, you will never catch me out again!

          • Ha! I’ve seen it.
            I was most disappointed when I looked for certain little-known organisations I’m aware of and found them missing! 😉
            Useful, but not the bible.

          • Nope. Well yes it’s Royal Tank Regiment but I was using it as:

            It’s from the six section battle drills, specifically the acronym for reaction to enemy fire:
            Return Fire
            Take Cover
            Return appropriate fire.

            My point is even if you have a list the army sometimes uses the same acronym for multiple things. Many are informal, some things have more than 1 acronym (eg RROS and SCOTS).

            I’ve been in this job 10+ years and still am learning new acronyms.

          • That’s why I want to be an engineer.
            Physics doesn’t have ORBATs or acronyms.
            It’s never clear with you, Dern
            Which bit of the Army are you with?

          • u has a Mass of 2.2+0.5/0.4MeV/C I think that counts as acronyms (MeV/C even counts as a FLA!) and the periodic table is just a guide for building atomic orbats. 😀

            Daniele has made some guesses at which part of the army I’m in, which I neither confirm nor deny.

          • If you want some extra homework MOD has a “Full” list of acronyms and abbreviations available online, it’s only 373 pages. Probably explains why I’ve come across FFLA’s that aren’t in it!

      • Yes, I read feedback on x was much of the same opinion.
        Some are for it, some against, some seem indifferent.
        As an outsider, I have no position, other than is having a Corps of Dentists really necessary?
        Yet I do see the value, and tradition, in having the RAPTC, and the SASC, which are also small organisations.

        • The AMS was already a thing, so in practice the amalgamation is just a nod to something that was an operational reality. Maybe the biggest benefit will be increasing the ability to retrade within the RAMS, but that will ultimately depend on decisions made within the Service.

    • Please explain the wiring diagram that places RAVC under the RE, if possible. Is the MoD anticipating that horse cavalry, on a significant scale, will come back into vogue and require engineering support? When was the last time that the British Army utilized significant horse transport? Crimea? Boer War? WWI? Possibly WWII?

      • RAVC operationally is about MWD. Military Working Dogs.
        In the army, 1 MWD Regiment, think in the counter IED side especially.
        RAF police and MDP also have MWD and UKSF their own, and a smaller number with MGS.
        Horses are of course used by KTRHA and HCMR for state and other ceremonial occasions.

        • Sorry, please indulge the ignorance of an outsider, who resides across the Pond: 1. (MDP = Ministry of Defence Police?), 2. (MGS = Military or Ministry? G? School or Service?), 3. (KTRHA = King’s Troop? Royal Horse Artillery?), and 4. (HCMR = Household Cavalry M? Regiment?). As demonstrated, have variable success decoding unknown acronyms. 🤔

          • MDP is indeed MoD Police, which is seperate from the RMP’s and is staffed by civies.
            MGS is MoD Guard Service, they do a variety of things but most commonly seen providing Dog support to MPGS.
            Kings Troop RHA indeed, the mounted artillery component of the Ceremonial Parade troops in London.
            HCMR Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, to distinguish them from HCAV, their other half working on Ajax as formation Recce.

          • Hi USAF.
            Been out so sorry for no reply.
            I see Dern has stepped in saving me the trouble.
            Acronyms are so much more efficient but I understand they will confuse some.

      • Sorry, wiring diagram.
        1 MWD already sits under 8 Engineer Brigade.
        I’d have kept RAVC separate myself, just reading in the report it’s going to the RE.

      • RAVC is coming under the RE because when the RAMS amalgamation was looked into the Vets tried to retain their own identity and corps by arguing that they where Combatants, and so had to be kept seperate from the Non-Combatant RAMC/RADC/QARANC.

        It clearly backfired spectacularly because RAVC going to RAMS would have retained some traditions and dress standards, while the RE will just absorb them with no concessions.

        • Hmmm…evidently the BA equivalent of bringing a knife to a gunfight, during close quarters bureaucratic combat? 🤔😉

          Although an outsider, siding w/ RAVC in this matter for two reasons: 1.) Excellent and sympathetic portrayal of experiences of multiple BA veterinarians in the current iteration of the series “All Creatures Great and Small,” and, 2.) An unabashed, life-long dog lover, and anyone who cares for them is predisposed to receive my vote of confidence. 😊

  5. As an outsider who knows little about such cyber ability, this seems incredibly impressive. Am I being naive or overly optimistic?

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