BriteCloud
BriteCloud is a self-contained Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) jammer developed by Selex ES (merged into Leonardo since 2017) to help protect fast jet aircraft. The decoy was launched by Selex ES at a conference held at the Churchill War Rooms London on 6 November 2013.[1]
 | |
| Inception | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Selex ES Leonardo-Finmeccanica (since 2016) Leonardo (since 2017) |
Background
Fast jet aircraft face a highly developed airborne and surface-based RF threat. Mobile Surface to Air Missiles SAMs with highly accurate RF tracking systems present a formidable threat when used in pop-up mode and many older systems have been retro-fitted with modern electronics that have greatly enhanced their capabilities. The modern systems are particularly difficult to counter and have an array of Electronic Protection Measures (EPM) at their disposal.
Description
BriteCloud has been developed to protect platforms against these modern tracking systems. Dispensed from a standard 55mm flare cartridge, BriteCloud has been designed to draw threats away from the host platform, generating large miss distances.
The BriteCloud technology builds on previous generations of electronic countermeasures such as repeaters and Towed Radar Decoys (TRD). When launched the decoy searches for and counters priority threats. Incoming radar pulses are received and the BriteCloud’s on-board computer copies these pulses and uses them to simulate a ‘false target’ so that the threat system cannot detect the deception. By doing this, the BriteCloud can ‘seduce’ the most modern threats away from the platform.
Partners
Selex ES announced at the launch event that defence and security company Saab will be the first partner to offer the new decoy as an optional electronic warfare enhancement for all versions Gripen, both new and existing.[2]
See also
- Digital Radio Frequency Memory
- Active Protection System
- Electronic Countermeasures
- Electronic Warfare
- Gripen