Overview Innovation in-depth Case Studies Heritage News & Stories

Innovation: people and technology in harmony

For over 80 years, Leonardo in the UK has been undertaking cutting-edge research and development and innovating:

From designing gyros for WWII Spitfires, to today, working on Britain’s next generation combat aircraft
Advancing electronics for self-protection, detection and sensing, tackling emerging problems like countering drones
Using the ever-growing amount of data to make decisions, such as our work with the Home Office tackling illegality
Building and certifying the next generation of vertical lift aircraft.

Today's Leonardo UK combines the heritage of the likes of GEC, Marconi and Westland, with innovation being central to everything we do and stand for. In the UK, we invest nearly £500 million in research and development, which helps focus our people on developing creative, fit for the future and bespoke capability for our customers' success.

80+ years of innovation

£490m of R&D investment annually

Collaborating with 60+ higher education institutions

Enablers

People and Skills

Capability Areas

Collaboration

Case Studies

GCAP – Developing the future of combat air

Leonardo is working with UK MOD, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and MBDA to develop the UK's next generation air combat system capable of operating in the 2035+ environment.

BriteCloud – Proven Pilot Protection

The most significant advance in radar-guided missile countermeasure since the advent of chaff, building on a century designing EW solutions that help save aircrews' lives.

BriteStorm – low Size, Weight & Power Stand-in Jammer

Providing battle-winning capabilities which will revolutionise the way operations are conducted against sophisticated air defence systems.

DragonFire – Laser fire power

Leonardo is working with MBDA, UK MOD and Dstl to develop a Laser Directed Energy Weapon that provides short-range air defence capability or close-in protection for naval vessels.

Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS)

Protecting British Army vehicles and personnel against current and future weapons in constantly evolving operational environments.

Transforming Airborne S&R Missions

Award-winning technology developed to locate casualties through their mobile phone location, even when out of network coverage.

Miysis DIRCM – Bring You Home Safe

The world's most advanced operational Directed Infrared Countermeasures system, which is already protecting airborne systems for UK and NATO end-users.

Falcon Shield – rapidly detecting tracking and prioritising UAS threats

Rapidly deployable, scalable and modular system designed to address the threat from low, slow and small uncrewed air systems (UAS).

Eurofighter Typhoon – Effective, proven, trusted

Leonardo plays a key role in the Eurofighter Typhoon programme, delivering over 60% of its on-board avionics

Leonardo's UK heritage

Leonardo makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, as it has done since late the 19th century, through its various guises. Over this time, many companies have merged and been acquired, culminating in the establishment of Leonardo in the UK in January 2017.

See the full timeline of Leonardo's UK heritage dating back to 1882