The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Leonardo UK Ltd a £26.6 million contract to supply AN/ALQ-260(V) Active Expendable Decoys (AEDs) for the F-35 Lightning II, marking a significant milestone in transatlantic defence cooperation.
This sole-source contract, managed by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), underscores the advanced capability and maturity of Leonardo’s technology.
The contract’s Class Justification and Approval (CJ&A) document highlighted the extensive partnership between Leonardo and the UK Ministry of Defence in developing the AED over the past 14 years.
The CJ&A states: “Approximately 14 years of research and development have been completed through a partnership with Leonardo UK, LTD and UK Ministry of Defense to develop and test the AED.”
It further explains that awarding the contract to another supplier would result in “unacceptable delays of eight years,” due to the time required to match Leonardo’s product maturity, technical capabilities, and readiness for integration.
Proven tech
The AN/ALQ-260(V) builds on Leonardo’s expertise in expendable countermeasures, specifically its BriteCloud 218 decoy. Designed to protect aircraft from radar-guided threats, this decoy creates a false radar target that diverts incoming missile systems. Trials and operational deployments have showcased its ability to counter increasingly sophisticated radar threats.
Leonardo’s BriteCloud range, including the BriteCloud 128, has been deployed on platforms such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and MQ-9 Reaper. These systems are widely recognised for their modularity and adaptability, enabling their integration across multiple airframes, including manned and unmanned platforms.
The AN/ALQ-260(V) represents a capable addition to the F-35, further enhancing its survivability in complex threat environments. The decoy works alongside the F-35’s AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser. The CJ&A document emphasised that “any interruption in production would pose critical setbacks to current schedules and fielding requirements.”
How it works
The system provides advanced protection against radar-guided threats. This self-contained, battery-powered decoy is designed to be launched from conventional 2”×1”×8” dispensers like the AN/ALE-47.
Once deployed, the decoy emits a false radar signature using Digital RF Memory (DRFM) technology, drawing enemy tracking systems away from the host platform and creating a significant miss distance.
Unlike onboard jammers, which can be vulnerable to “home-on-jam” attacks, the off-board AN/ALQ-260(V1) offers a safer and more effective alternative by diverting threats entirely. The decoy’s rapid deployment make it ideal for fast jets like the F-16 and cutting-edge platforms such as the F-35 Lightning, where survivability in contested environments is critical.
Brilliant news, well done Leonardo. Now if they could sought out multi-spectral flares they could be on to a winner.
Good news, hopefully it’s the same system we use and it can be put on our own F35.
We already use Britecloud on Typhoon (and previously on Tornado) in the 55 cartridge standard for firing from Saab pattern countermeasure dispensers.
The 218 shape, for US pattern countermeasure dispensers, was trialled on US ANG F-16 who recommended fielding. The good news is that the US will pay for integration of the Britecloud 218 to F-35….the UK then can just place an order direct with Leonardo UK for a load of them…
Just one other point….
The 218 Britecloud, for the US standard countermeasure dispensers like on F-35, weighs 500g
The 55 Britecloud used on Typhoon (and briefly on Tornado) that fits the Sab countermeasure dispensers weighs 1.1kg….
There must be a big difference in capability….
I don’t think weight is a good discriminator for capability.