In our Suppliers’ Spotlight series, the best in British engineering and manufacturing and members of Team AW149 UK tell their story.

Team AW149 UK is Leonardo’s onshore supply chain for the AW149 helicopter. Featuring more than 70 companies from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Team AW149 UK members play a vital role in the latest-generation AW149. 

In Gosport, Hampshire, LFD designs, develops, manufactures and repairs an extensive range of innovative lighting equipment for use with night vision goggles (NVG) on aircraft and ground vehicles.

Formed in 1989 in Gosport, LFD rapidly acquired a market-leading position for the supply of covert and visible lights to military aircraft – on both fixed and rotary wing platforms, including external lighting suites for the AB212, AW159, AW101, AW149, AW139, Chinook, Lynx, Puma and Sea King, amongst many others.

“LFD has been fortunate to work in a close and successful relationship with Leonardo Helicopters. Leonardo has generously given its support to help LFD in designing and developing world-beating aircraft lighting systems. LFD supplies lighting kits for most Leonardo platforms including the AW149, AW159, and W101. As a small team of 15 staff, we are proud and appreciative of our relationship with Leonardo and its support to the UK aerospace industry,” comments LFD’s Managing Director, Len Fleck.

Included within LFD’s extensive range of LED-based aircraft lighting equipment is the world’s first 2000 candela white LED Anti Collision light for the AW149 and AW159 Wildcat helicopters. This unit was developed with the support of Leonardo.

Len Fleck adds: “In 2004 we were appointed as the UK distributor for Luminator NVG aircraft external lighting products. The addition of Luminator’s Searchlights to our portfolio means that we can provide complete external lighting suites to our customers.”

He explained how full consultation with end-users at the design stage ensures optimal operational effectiveness.

The company facilities in South East England include CNC machining, optical design, electronic design, electronic assembly and test. 

“Having control over the end-to-end design and production process ensures consistent quality and performance,” Len Fleck says.

LFD has been a supplier to Leonardo for more than 20 years. 

For further information, please visit https://www.lfd.ltd.uk.