The German Armed Forces has conducted the first live launch of Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218-variant decoy.
In a recent trial, an Airbus remotely piloted air target systems (RPATS) test platform ejected live BriteCloud 218 rounds during flight.
The German forces tested the decoy’s capability to protect the target drone aircraft from semi-active radar (SAR) seeker-guided missiles.
Leonardo’s flare-sized electronic device was able to draw the missiles away from the target.
Airbus, Leonardo and the German analysis and testing firm IABG supported the test.
BriteCloud requires no integration and can be launched from a standard countermeasure dispenser.
It lures the threat away from its intended target and towards itself by simulating the missile’s expected target via radio emissions.
The miniaturised jamming technology deploys the latest electronic warfare techniques.
The BriteCloud 218-variant rounds are suitable for ejection from various airborne countermeasures dispenser systems such as the AN/ALE-47.
According to the company, F-15 and F-16 jets, and smaller RPAS platform versions can be equipped at an affordable cost to enhance their defences.
As part of the US Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) programme led by the US Air National Guard (ANG), BriteCloud 218 is currently being tested for the F-16 fighter aircraft.
The company noted that its original BriteCloud 55 decoy is deployed with the British Royal Air Force.
