The US Navy is taking significant steps to enhance the defensive capabilities of its F-35 Lightning II and F-18 Hornet/Super Hornet/Growler aircraft fleets by planning to award a substantial contract to Leonardo for the supply of airborne countermeasures. The Naval Air Systems Command has published a notice indicating its intention to negotiate a fixed-price agreement with the company, based in the UK, which will encompass materials, labor, overhead, and equipment necessary for the production of Active Expendable Decoys (AEDs).
If finalized, the contract is expected to stipulate the production of an impressive 3,000 to 6,000 AEDs annually, along with spare impulse cartridges, support equipment, and the provision of sustainment and field service representatives. This plan is part of a broader strategy that aims for the contract to be formalized by 2026, with a duration that includes a base year and four additional option years, extending the work period from 2027 to 2031.
The selection of Leonardo is underscored by the firm’s unique offering of AEDs that align closely with the required specifications of the project. The pre-solicitation documentation emphasizes Leonardo’s exclusive possession of the necessary manufacturing technology, infrastructure, and platform qualifications that make it uniquely suited to fulfill the project’s requirements. It states that no other source possesses the relevant technical qualifications or resources to adequately meet the government’s demands.
A key product expected to be included in this contract is the BriteCloud, an innovative active decoy equipped with a self-contained, battery-powered radio frequency architecture capable of providing both passive and preventive security. The BriteCloud is available in two variants: a round model with a diameter of 55 millimeters (2.1 inches) and a weight of 1.1 kilograms (2.4 pounds), and a rectangular type measuring 155 millimeters (6.1 inches) long and weighing 0.5 kilograms (1.1 pounds). This compact decoy has already proven operational effectiveness in British fighter aircraft and certain US F-16 Fighting Falcons.
Additionally, reports emerged in December 2024 revealing that the US Navy allocated $32.9 million for the integration of BriteCloud AEDs into its F-35 fleet. Earlier in the year, Leonardo announced that it was engaged in test projects to validate the decoy’s operational capabilities aboard the F-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, which further underscores the strategic importance of this technology in modern aerial warfare.
