© 2013 Selex ES Selex ES, has successfully carried out multiple end-to-end tests of its BriteCloud Expendable Active Decoy (EAD) sys...
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© 2013 Selex ES
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Selex ES, has successfully carried out multiple end-to-end tests of its BriteCloud Expendable Active Decoy (EAD) system, under live conditions, clearing it for production.
BriteCloud is a self-contained expendable Digital RF Memory (DRFM) jammer to decoy RF-guided missiles and fire control radars away from fighter aircraft.
The tests carried out in the first week of February, featured fully functional decoys launched from fighter aircraft that was being tracked by a ground-based fire-control radar. On each occasion, EAD successfully detected and jammed the threat radar(target) with its embedded DRFM jammer. The fire control radar's lock on the fighter aircraft was immediately broken and it subsequently tracked the decoy until it impacted the ground.
BriteCloud is the technological successor to RF decoys such as repeaters and Towed Radar Decoys (TRD).
When a BriteCloud is released from a aircraft, the decoy searches for and counters priority threats using advanced DRFM technology.
Incoming radar waves are received and the BriteCloud’s on-board computer copies these pulses and uses them to simulate a ‘false target’ so convincing that the threat system cannot detect the deception.
Selex ES launched BriteCloud in November 2013 along Saab who is offering it as an EW enhancement option for its Gripen fighter. Flight tests abroad Saab Gripen are expected to take place in 2014.
The form factor of BriteCloud, which is the same size and shape as a flare and dispensed from a standard 55mm flare cartridge, making it suitable for a range of fighter jets. It is powered by batteries.
As an off-board jamming device, BriteCloud avoids the ‘home-on-jam’ vulnerabilities of on-board devices and allows it to put significant distance between itself and the fighter after launch, minimising any risk of incoming missiles detonating close to the platform.
