The company hopes to use the Pentagon’s Foreign Comparative Test programme as an entry point into the U.S. market. Randall said Leonardo also intends to demonstrate the system to other European users as NATO members increase their focus on electronic attack capabilities.
Success in the United States could help open doors in other markets. “The U.S. Navy’s decision to use its BriteCloud expendable decoy on the F-35C is leading to conversations with other users of the Lockheed Martin fighter for fleetwide adoption,” Michael Lea, vice president of sales for Leonardo UK’s electronic warfare business, told reporters at the DSEI exhibition.
The system, designated AN/ALQ-260(V) in the United States, has already been deployed on Navy F-35s and is now set for adoption on the F/A-18E/F. Leonardo is also working with the UK to evolve the rectangular-format BriteCloud, known as the 218, to ensure it keeps pace with changing threats.
Alongside this, Leonardo is developing an upgraded cylindrical version, the 55-mm BriteCloud 55T, designed to emit more power and expected to be ready for frontline use next year. Several countries are currently testing the system, company officials confirmed.
Source: Aviation Week.
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