A laser generates a highly directional beam of light, with carefully controlled properties. The most common applications of lasers in the military domain are rangefinding and target designation, using a well-defined train of laser pulses to mark a target, receive reflections that indicate range and to precision guide a munition with a seeker (detector) on to that target, often this takes place many kilometres away from the target.

In the crowded and uncertain battlefields of today, the ability to surgically target enemy combatants even within heavily congested spaces enables the UK and NATO forces to defeat complex targets, destroying an enemy’s will to resist, whilst avoiding collateral damage.

Leonardo Edinburgh has been at the forefront of advanced targeting technology since the inception of the site in 1943. Our pedigree leads from Spitfire Gyro gunsights directly to todays’ lasers. Sustained investment in facilities, core enabling technologies and cutting edge research has seen Leonardo Edinburgh bring many innovations to laser target designators (LTDs). Our advances in athermal and perturbation stable designs, underpinned by best in class Leonardo laser diodes, have produced a product portfolio offering unparalleled performance and reliability.

Today, Leonardo is the USAF supplier of choice for high energy airborne LTDs. Our lasers are found in targeting systems across the world, whether in targeting pods such as SNIPER and LITENING, the F-35 EOTS module, or in the Apache M-TADS EO turret. Our Type 163 ground-based LTD offers best in class performance with over 1000 units sold to over 30 nations.

The next generation of air and ground-based LTD products are now in development, looking to further reduce size weight and power (SWaP), while enhancing performance. Additional functionality, including very long distance rangefinding, burst illumination imaging and communications can also be included.