As we kicked off 2024, Leonardo announced updates relating to a long line of innovative technology throughout January.
The newsreel began with the announcement that our new Eurofighter Typhoon radar had been fitted to an aircraft ahead of flight trials. The European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mark 2 features an innovative multi-functional array (MFA) that can perform traditional radar functions, such as search and targeting, as well as electronic warfare tasks.
Building on this, we announced a smart future upgrade to our BriteCloud decoy. The kit can now communicate with an aircraft’s on-board self-protection system and smart countermeasure dispenser to maximise performance in accordance with the latest NATO self-protection standards.
After this, the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system achieved the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets during a trial at the MOD Hebrides range. The UK DragonFire collaboration brings together the best of UK industry and leverages decades of weapon system manufacturing expertise to deliver enhanced layered air defence capabilities in the land and maritime domains.
In addition, Leonardo was awarded a new contract to drive forward a new high-tech protection system – Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS) – for British Army vehicles. Leonardo is the Principal Systems Integrator on the MIPS programme, leading a team of major defence companies, under the name of Team Minerva, which includes Thales, CGI, Roke, Ultra Electronics and Frazer Nash.
January was not just about innovation. We also announced new sustainability efforts for the New Year, the first of which was our couch to carbon sustainability challenge. This involved employees receiving daily short updates containing practical information and tools to help take positive action in the moment and start reducing their carbon footprint.
To finish the month, our UK Chair and CEO, Clive Higgins, announced Leonardo as one of the inaugural signatories of new UK Defence ESG Charter. The charter represents an important step forward in highlighting opportunities for us to strengthen our deep commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) as a company and as a collaborative collective.