This month, we celebrated a string of successes for our UK businesses, including the news that the United States Air Force (USAF) had granted operational clearance for BriteCloud 218 expendable active decoy for operational testing on-board the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. This pre-empted November’s announcement that The U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) had issued a fielding recommendation for the expendable active decoy.
Later in the month, it was announced that our Laser Target Designator (LTD) Type 163 had been chosen by the Australian Defence Force for their LAND 17 Phase 2 Digital Terminal Control System – Capability Assurance Program, with the Type 163 LTD having already been delivered to 27 countries around the world. Meanwhile, in a boost to our commitment to a sustainable future, it was revealed that Leonardo is working closely with the RAF to push forward innovation that is already reducing the carbon footprint of the radar programme for the Typhoon fighter jet.
In the same month, we responded to the proliferation of man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) across the Indo Pacific, which generated a strong regional demand for life-saving countermeasures such as our Miysis DIRCM (Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure).
We also marked the opening of iAero, a new aerospace centre adjacent to our Yeovil site dedicated to innovation, collaboration and sustainable aviation. Led by Somerset County Council, the project demonstrates the continuing commitment to the aerospace industry in the South West, and underlines its importance to the local and UK economy.
National Apprenticeship Week returned, during which we celebrated the positive impact that apprentices make on our business; sharing profiles of some of the brilliant young professionals that benefit from our wide range of apprenticeships. We had further cause to celebrate when we were awarded Gold accreditation under the Good Employer Charter for Basildon, and when Edinburgh-based electronics engineer, Anna Hart, won the 'Rising Star' category at the WorldSkills UK Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Awards.
February is also LGBTQ+ History Month, which we concluded with an article by Sam Bone, Chair of Leonardo UK’s Pride Network Group, highlighting the struggles that LGBTQ+ people have with coming out personally and professionally, and explaining how employers can provide safe and supportive workplaces.