On July 3, 2024, the NSTXL S2MARTS consortium, acting as agent for NAVAIR PMA-272 in support of the award for RDT&E, announced its Phase 1 down select of Leonardo Electronics US as one of two finalists for supporting the development project. The NAVAIR PMA-272 RFCM AED project effort is to validate BriteCloud ALQ-260 for use on USN A/C, including F-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.
The Department of Navy’s PMA-272 Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems program requires a broadband, freefall Radio Frequency (RF) Countermeasure (CM) Active Expendable Device (AED) to use independently or in conjunction with other on/off-board Digital RF Memory (DRFM) countermeasure systems.
This RFCM AED effort is in response to advanced anti-aircraft radar-guided missile threats.