Washington, DC, July 3 - The U.S. Navy is advancing its efforts to enhance the survivability of its fighter jets in increasingly contested airspaces by preparing to order up to 6,000 active expendable decoys (AEDs) for the F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft. This significant procurement, led by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), aims to bolster the self-protection capabilities of these advanced platforms against sophisticated radar-guided threats, including surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The contract, expected to be awarded to Leonardo UK, is a critical step in modernizing the Navy’s electronic warfare arsenal to counter evolving air defense systems employed by near-peer adversaries.
.gif)
The AEDs in question are likely to be Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 decoys, designated AN/ALQ-260(V) in U.S. service, which have been identified as meeting the Navy’s stringent requirements for a mission-load programmable, Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9) radiofrequency countermeasure. These decoys, roughly the size of a soda can, are designed to be deployed from standard chaff and flare dispensers, such as the AN/ALE-47, requiring minimal integration with existing aircraft systems. Each BriteCloud unit contains a digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) jammer that detects incoming radar signals from hostile platforms, including aircraft, ships, or ground-based air defenses, and mimics those signals to create a false target. This deception lures missiles away from the aircraft, significantly enhancing pilot and platform survivability in high-threat environments. The decoy’s off-board jamming capability addresses vulnerabilities associated with onboard systems, such as the “home-on-jam” effect, where missiles can lock onto the aircraft’s own jamming signals.
According to a presolicitation notice issued by NAVAIR, the contract is slated for award in November 2026 and will include a base year with up to four option years, covering fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The procurement plan outlines an initial production of 3,000 AEDs annually for the first two years, with quantities potentially doubling to 6,000 per year in subsequent years, starting at a rate of 300 units per month. The contract will also include spare impulse cartridges and related support equipment to ensure operational readiness. Leonardo UK has been identified as the sole contractor capable of meeting all requirements, building on the BriteCloud 218’s successful testing and integration with U.S. platforms, including the F-16, where it received a fielding recommendation from the U.S. Air National Guard in 2022.
The decision to equip both the F-35 and F/A-18 with these decoys reflects the Navy’s strategic focus on preparing for near-peer conflicts, particularly in regions like the Indo-Pacific, where advanced air defense systems pose significant risks. The F-35, already equipped with the BAE Systems AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite and the ALE-70 towed decoy, will gain an additional layer of protection with BriteCloud, which operates independently of onboard systems. Similarly, the F/A-18, which relies on systems like the AN/ALE-55 and AN/ALE-50 towed decoys, will benefit from the decoy’s ability to counter coherent radars and networked integrated air defense systems. This procurement replaces the aging RT-1489/ALE Generic Expendable (GEN-X) decoy, developed in the 1980s, which lacks the broadband coverage and programmability needed to counter modern threats. The adoption of BriteCloud 218 underscores the Navy’s commitment to maintaining technological superiority in electronic warfare. By integrating these advanced decoys, the Navy aims to ensure that its fighter jets can operate effectively in contested environments, providing a critical edge in mission success and crew safety against increasingly sophisticated missile systems. The contract’s scope also suggests potential applicability to other U.S. services and international F-35 operators, highlighting the decoy’s versatility and the Navy’s role as the lead for the F-35 Joint Program Office.