Leonardo is a world-leading provider of electro optic (EO) seekers to missile manufacturers, with more than five decades’ experience in research, development and manufacture of the capability.

Since developing the first European EO missile seeker for the Martel missile in the 1970s, the company has established itself as a centre of excellence for designing and/or manufacturing innovative seeker capabilities to customers around the world including UK, US, Europe and Middle East. Programmes include Storm Shadow IRS, Javelin IR seeker and Sea Venom/ANL I2R seeker.

We have developed our seeker technologies and capabilities to operate across a wide range of requirements appropriate for anti-air and anti-surface operations. While precision guidance technology enables seekers to deliver assured reliability of weapons, Leonardo’s recent advances in EO seeker technologies have provided the opportunity to develop dual and multi-mode sensing capabilities within a single missile seeker.

Design to Manufacturing

From our centre of excellence for missile seeker-related activities in Basildon, Leonardo specialists work closely with customers from the initial requirements setting phase – focusing on the optimal seeker configuration, where both cost and performance are accurately calculated – through to the development phase and onto manufacturing and trials.

Additionally, Leonardo’s Southampton site has been home to infrared detectors since the 1950s. Today, the site houses around 400 staff and is where several key airborne and marine technologies are designed, developed and manufactured.

All these activities and processes are supplemented by Leonardo leading research into material, component and sensor technologies that can be utilised to satisfy the demanding requirements for future seeker systems.

Export Growth Through Technology Transfer

As a global business, Leonardo recognises the importance and value generated by technology transfer in developing mutually beneficial business opportunities. We actively seek this type of collaboration around the world.