Leonardo UK wins major U.S. contract for BriteCloud on F-35

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.