Should a new British-designed jammer be deployed, aircraft and missiles targeting enemy regions will likely depend on drone jammers that fly ahead to mislead and disable air defense systems.

In contrast to existing standoff jammers that are typically mounted on large aircraft to stay out of harm's reach while targeting enemy radar systems from afar, Leonardo is set to launch a new "standoff" jammer that is compact enough for drone application and affordable for swift operational readiness.

Leonardo drone on display at the 2023 Paris Air Show

Leonardo is exhibiting the BriteStorm satellite at the American Astronautical Society convention in Washington. This satellite weighs about 2.5 kilograms, which includes its transmit and receive modules and antennas, and is approximately the size of six Coke cans, as stated by company officials.

"It has the capability to be at the forefront of any military unit that enters hostile territory," remarked Michael Lea, vice president of electronic warfare sales at Leonardo UK.

Lea indicated that the kit is designed to be low-cost and disposable, capable of being fitted onto large quadcopters or winged drones that operate in military environments.

In the event that the new British signal jammers proves effective, it is likely that planes and missiles operating in enemy territories will utilize drone jammers that precede them to mislead and disable air defense systems.

While standoff jammers are typically mounted on large aircraft to keep them out of danger and disrupt enemy radar systems from a safe distance, Leonardo is launching a new "stand-in" jammer. This innovative solution is sufficiently compact for drone integration and is affordably priced, allowing for immediate deployment.

At the American Astronautical Society convention in Washington, Leonardo unveiled the BriteStorm satellite, which weighs roughly 2.5 kilograms. This total weight comprises the transmit and receive modules and antennas, and the satellite is approximately the size of six Coke cans, as stated by company officials.

"It has the capability to be at the forefront of any military force operating in enemy territory," remarked Michael Lea, vice president of electronic warfare sales at Leonardo UK.

Lea indicated that the kit is developed to be economical and intended for one-time use, suitable for larger quadcopters or winged drones that are engaged in military engagements.

He indicated that the asset's pricing allows it to be classified as expendable, meaning that its destruction would not incur considerable economic losses or pose significant strategic challenges.

Following the reception of an enemy radar signal, the system activates Leonardo’s Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology to digitally capture and analyze the signal. It then responds by jamming the radar with electronic noise or spoofing it, which can entail the generation of several “ghost” fighter signatures.

The BriteCloud system developed by Leonardo incorporates the same DRFM technology, functioning as an expendable countermeasure that can be released from an aircraft to hinder the radar guidance of incoming missiles.

BriteStorm incorporates up to three transmit-receive modules that address low, mid, and high frequency bands.

Following its development at Leonardo's facility in Luton, UK, the system has been transferred to the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office.

Leonardo asserts that BriteStorm is a superior option to Raytheon’s MALD (Micro Air-Launched Decoy), an air-launched expendable jammer missile that has been said to have been employed in Ukraine.

Lea remarked that it excels beyond the performance of standoff jammers. "Standoff jammers are typically located in a fixed aerial position, in contrast to standoff jammers that can fly nearer to the threat, offering increased maneuverability and multiple axes to effectively confuse and suppress the threat."