Leonardo UK Selected for U.S. Navy Contract to Supply Electronic Warfare Decoys
The U.S. Navy is advancing its electronic warfare capabilities through a planned procurement of up to 6,000 active expendable decoys (AEDs) for its F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18 fighter aircraft. This initiative, led by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), reflects a strategic response to increasingly sophisticated radar-guided threats in contested airspaces. According to a presolicitation notice published in July 2025, the Navy intends to negotiate and award a contract to Leonardo UK, identified as the sole contractor capable of meeting the technical and operational requirements for the AEDs.
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BriteCloud. Leonardo UK |
The AEDs under consideration are expected to be based on Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 technology, although neither the BriteCloud name nor its U.S. designation, AN/ALQ-260(V)1, is explicitly mentioned in the notice. The decoys are designed with a 2x1x8 inch form factor, aligning with the specifications of BriteCloud 218. These devices are intended to be deployed from standard countermeasure dispensers, such as the AN/ALE-47, and require minimal integration with existing aircraft systems. Each unit incorporates a Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) jammer that mimics radar signals to mislead incoming missiles, thereby enhancing aircraft survivability.
The contract is scheduled for award in November 2026 and will span a base year with up to four option years, covering fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Initial production is projected at 3,000 units annually for the first two years, with potential expansion to 6,000 units per year in subsequent years. Monthly production rates are expected to begin at 300 units. In addition to the decoys, the contract will include spare impulse cartridges, support equipment, and field service representative support.
Leonardo UK’s selection is based on its ability to meet a mission-load programmable requirement and deliver a Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9) radiofrequency countermeasure solution. The company has previously demonstrated the BriteCloud system on various platforms, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16, Gripen, MQ-9, and Tornado. Notably, the U.S. Air National Guard issued a fielding recommendation for the BriteCloud 218 following successful testing with the F-16 in 2022.
The AEDs differ from traditional towed decoys, such as the ALE-70 used on the F-35, by offering off-board jamming capabilities. This approach mitigates vulnerabilities associated with onboard systems, including the “home-on-jam” effect, where missiles can track the aircraft’s own jamming signals. Instead, the expendable decoys are launched like chaff or flares, drawing threats away from the aircraft and potentially increasing the effectiveness of evasive maneuvers.
The Navy’s decision to pursue this procurement follows earlier testing and integration efforts. A March 2025 release from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service confirmed that BriteCloud was deployed by an F-35 squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing 2, marking its first operational use in the U.S. Navy. The presolicitation notice also indicates that while the F-35 has already received a fielding decision, a similar determination for the F/A-18 is expected in 2027.
This acquisition aligns with broader defense priorities aimed at countering advanced air defense systems, particularly in regions such as the Indo-Pacific. By equipping its tactical aircraft with AEDs, the Navy seeks to enhance mission survivability and maintain operational effectiveness in environments characterized by dense and layered threat systems. The planned procurement underscores a shift toward more agile and adaptive electronic warfare solutions capable of addressing emerging challenges in modern aerial combat.