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With BriteStorm Leonardo Offers a Major Asset for Penetrating Air Defense.
In an international context marked by rising tensions and the rapid modernization of air defense systems, Leonardo has introduced BriteStorm, an innovative electronic warfare solution that enables armed forces to penetrate deep into enemy territory despite the presence of modern Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS). Presented at the annual Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) conference, this system employs advanced technology to jam and mislead enemy radar, providing strategic advantages for operators in contested environments.
BriteStorm takes this further by specifically targeting ground surveillance radars, preventing enemy forces from tracking and engaging allied assets (Picture source: Leonardo)
BriteStorm distinguishes itself through its "stand-in jamming" capability, allowing proactive deployment to neutralize threats in advance. The device intercepts enemy radar signals, manipulates them, and sends them back, thus impairing the IADS’s detection and targeting abilities. Designed for use on a wide range of platforms, including drones and autonomous munitions, BriteStorm delivers powerful electronic interference that protects allied forces by degrading enemy defense systems.
Developed at Leonardo’s electronic warfare research facilities in Luton, UK, BriteStorm incorporates Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology, proven with BriteCloud, an onboard countermeasure that disrupts missile radar guidance systems. However, BriteStorm takes this further by specifically targeting ground surveillance radars, preventing enemy forces from tracking and engaging allied assets. This lightweight device, weighing only 2.5 kilograms, is also designed to be “attritable,” making it affordable enough for widespread use without significant strategic risk if lost.
In collaboration with the British Army, the Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) of the Royal Air Force (RAF) has already conducted flight tests to validate BriteStorm’s capabilities. The U.S. military has also shown interest in BriteStorm through programs like Air Launched Effects (ALE), Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS), and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), aiming to enhance its electronic warfare capabilities.
BriteStorm operates by selecting the most suitable countermeasure technique for each situation. These can include advanced methods, such as creating false radar signatures that mimic a fleet of fighter jets, or more traditional jamming with electronic noise. With its miniature technique generator, BriteStorm adapts its electronic responses to threats in real-time, though any updates during missions require adjustments between operations.
This operational flexibility and rapid reprogrammability to match evolving threats make BriteStorm highly sought-after by modern armed forces. Alongside the ongoing tests with the British and U.S. military, Leonardo foresees strong demand in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, where the interest in distributed electronic warfare capabilities continues to grow.
In a strategic environment where control over the electromagnetic spectrum is crucial in modern conflicts, as demonstrated by the war in Ukraine, BriteStorm reflects the resurgence of high-intensity electronic warfare. This heightened need among Western militaries, particularly in the U.S., indicates a trend toward more advanced electronic warfare systems capable of neutralizing not only air defenses but also other enemy surveillance systems, including coastal and artillery radars.