New UAV Electronic Warfare Capability Targets Enemy Air Defense Systems

Leonardo has launched BriteStorm, a new product that will allow armed forces to operate deep within enemy territory, even when that territory is guarded by modern Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS).

BriteStorm is able to perform ‘stand-in jamming’: an airborne electronic warfare capability, deployed ahead of the main force, to deliver high-powered interference against a wide spectrum of threats. 

With this capability, BriteStorm degrades the enemy’s IADS and suppresses its ability to detect and lock onto other platforms, protecting friendly forces and enabling their mission.

The BriteStorm payload is designed to be installed on the widest possible range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and launched effects. It will equip each platform with an advanced array of digital deception techniques, deployable at long range.

BriteStorm Key Features

BriteStorm works by using Leonardo’s mission-tested DRFM technology to detect and evaluate the electronic warfare threat environment and then choose the most relevant countermeasure technique. 

Depending on the situation, BriteStorm’s effects can range from barraging the enemy system with electronic noise to more sophisticated techniques such as creating dozens of realistic ‘ghost’ fighter jet signatures, confusing and misdirecting the enemy response.

BriteStorm is small, lightweight and platform-agnostic. A standard BriteStorm fit incorporates a platform-specific antenna, transmit-receive modules, and Leonardo’s Miniature Technique Generator. It is simple to integrate, making BriteStorm an accessible route to establishing a powerful, attritable, stand-in jamming capability. 

The BriteStorm development team has drawn on Leonardo’s company-wide program of digital transformation to create a powerful and sophisticated product, whilst ensuring the payload can be considered attritable.

The UK Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) is working with Leonardo in relation to the capability and has purchased payloads to conduct trials. Successful flights with the RCO proving the capability have already taken place. 

Developed at Leonardo’s electronic warfare research and manufacturing base in Luton, UK, BriteStorm builds on the Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology underpinning Leonardo’s in-service BriteCloud countermeasure. 

In contrast to BriteCloud, which is designed to disrupt incoming missiles’ radar guidance systems, BriteStorm has been engineered to confuse and suppress ground-based surveillance radars, preventing the enemy from tracking and then engaging friendly forces.

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