Unveiling Brite Storm: Breaking enemy air defences
During the exhibition AUSA (Association of the United States Army) organized, the Leonardo company presented a new electronic warfare system called Brite Storm. Its goal is to penetrate air defences and enable the operation of its own aircraft deep within enemy territory. How does Brite Storm work?
Brite Storm is an electronic warfare (EW) system capable of generating false radar images of non-existent aircraft. According to Leonardo, an enemy attacked using Brite Storm will observe formations of approaching enemy aircraft on their radars. These ghost machines will appear to be flying and simulate virtual attack attempts and fire non-existent missiles.
The system's creators intend for it to be credible enough to force air defenses to waste time and resources detecting, tracking, and attempting to destroy successive formations of non-existent aircraft. This would lead to the unnecessary use of valuable anti-aircraft missiles, which would be fired at apparent targets.
"BriteStorm’s effects can range from barraging the enemy system with electronic noise to more sophisticated techniques such as creating dozens of realistic ‘ghost’ fighter jet signatures, confusing and misdirecting the enemy response," Leonardo states in a press release.
The system is designed to be as versatile and scalable as possible. It can be placed on aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones, which, during combat missions, would be able to significantly precede their own manned machines.
The scenario for using Brite Storm envisions installing the system on as many aerial platforms as possible, aided by the lightweight design of a single module—just 3 kilograms.
Tests of this solution have already been conducted—the Brite Storm system was tested during flights organized in collaboration with the Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RAF RCO). According to Leonardo, the system has already proven its effectiveness. Shortly, it could prove to be an excellent tool for breaking through air defences and ensuring the safety of their own aircraft.
