Matthew Nelson
A Leonardo-built active expendable decoy was chosen by the Department of Defense to conduct foreign comparison tests with the U.S. Air National Guard, AIN Online reported Monday.
BriteCloud is a radio frequency device that detaches from an aircraft to serve as decoy to missile attacks. The Air National Guard plans to use the decoy with Lockheed Martin-built F-16 aircraft fighters for the three-year comparative test.
According to Leonardo, the decoy will undergo a number of scenarios to highlight its capacity to repel radar-guided missiles.
“Under the Foreign Comparative Test program, the U.S. government looks to allies that have developed technology that has a high [technology readiness level] in order to satisfy requirements quickly and economically,†said Jon McCullagh, head of strategic campaigns for electronic warfare at Leonardo's electronics business.
The company plans to collaborate with other countries to use the decoy on different aircraft systems.
