Detectors

Transforming the future of infrared sensing, through partnerships, expertise and customer-driven value.

Leonardo’s specialist infrared detector facility in Southampton, UK, has been in operation since the 1950s and is today an established centre of expertise in infrared (IR) detector technology, supplying military, civil and space customers around the world. The facility specialises in cooled MCT and uncooled DLATGS pyroelectric infrared detector development and production, with facilities and equipment supporting ROIC design, material growth and processing, device hybridisation, vacuum encapsulation, and environmental and functional test.

The Southampton facility continues to be a world-leading centre for IR detector development and production, with links to research institutions and industry throughout the world.

Built on a foundation of engineering excellence and extensive materials expertise, Leonardo has evolved into a trusted global supplier of infrared detectors for many of the world’s leading military, civil and space thermal imaging programmes including missile and munitions guidance, detectors for space and science applications and for infrared spectrometers.

Wavebands

The SWIR 0.8µm-2.5µm focal plane arrays Leonardo manufactures are extremely sensitive and widely used for scientific applications. They incorporate our proprietary Avalanche Photodiode (APD) technology to enhance sensitivity in low flux applications.

Leonardo offers MWIR Detectors, which are the most popular choice of waveband, offering 24/7 passive imaging capability including for hotter temperature targets in compact and HD formats.

Leonardo's longwave (8-9.4µm) detectors can give advantages for some applications such as imaging through atmospheric aberrations including smoke and turbulence.

Leonardo offers dual wave band detectors incorporating both MWIR and LWIR technology, enabling optimal thermal imaging in a wide range of conditions and applications.

Leonardo’s Avalanche Photodiode (APD) Arrays were originally developed for the SWIR 0.8µm-2.5µm detectors we manufacture, which are extremely sensitive and widely used for scientific applications.

Leonardo manufactures a wide range of single element pyroelectric detectors using DLATGS organic crystalline infrared sensitive material, incorporated in Transistor Outline packages.

Events we are attending

26-30 April 2026 National Harbor, Maryland USA
Booth 603

5-9 May 2026 Istanbul Expo Center, Turkey
Booth TBA

5-10 July 2026 Copenhagen, Denmark
Leonardo UK Booth 512


For further information, please download and complete the Detectors Enquiry Form below, before emailing it to ir.detectors@leonardo.com.