Dragonfire, the UK’s Laser Directed Energy Programme (LDEW) led by MBDA, has successfully begun a series of trials to prove the accuracy and power of the novel laser weapon. The first of these trials recently conducted by the Dragonfire consortium – a joint industry and UK MOD collaboration between MBDA, …
Read More »Leonardo digital electronics factories go live across the UK
Leonardo has launched a new data-driven approach to design and manufacturing at its electronics sites across the UK, with a new ‘common data environment’ going live, initially at sites in Edinburgh, Luton, Basildon and Southampton. The change will speed up development and cut costs as the company’s scientists and engineers …
Read More »UK and France advance future cruise / anti-ship weapon project
The United Kingdom and France have confirmed the launch of the preparation works for the Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) programme, after the signature today of a government agreement and associated contracts by the French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) and the British Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). Eric …
Read More »New research demonstrates the value of defence in boosting UK prosperity
Research by Oxford Economics has revealed the extent to which BAE Systems contributes to the UK economy through jobs, research & development and national supply chains. In addition to developing skills and technologies critical for the defence of the nation, the research highlights that BAE Systems’ operations are helping to …
Read More »GA-ASI SeaGuardian Flies First Approved Point-to-Point UAS Flight in UK
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the first time approved a point-to-point domestic flight of an unmanned aircraft that utilized the UK’s airways structure when General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew its MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from Lincolnshire, England to Moray, Scotland on Sept. 12, 2021. …
Read More »FUNDING SECURED TO COMPLETE MISSILE INTEGRATION ON UK AND ITALIAN F-35 FLEETS
BAE Systems and MBDA have secured additional funding to complete the development and integration of next generation weapons capabilities on the UK and Italian F-35 fleets. This builds on the successful integration work that commenced in 2019 by BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and MBDA to upgrade the UK F-35 weapon …
Read More »Leonardo and UK Industry Team Trial New High-tech Protection for Armed Forces Vehicles
Leonardo, leading a cross-UK team of science and technology experts, has successfully trialled a high-tech new protection system approach for Army vehicles such as tanks and armoured personnel carriers. Called MIPS (Modular Integration Protection System), the new approach brings together layers of electronic and physical protection technologies to equip vehicle …
Read More »Leonardo S p A : Italy joins UK development of next-generation Eurofighter Typhoon radar
Italy has joined the UK’s development of the new European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) radar for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The first stage of collaboration, to take place this Autumn, will see a team of engineers from Leonardo’s Nerviano, Milan-based radar site join the Mk2 development team at …
Read More »British C-17 and Chinook fleets to be upgraded
The RAF will be boosted by an investment of almost £400 million to enhance the capabilities of two of its vital assets – the C-17 Globemaster aircraft and the CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The UK’s C-17 fleet – which recently played a key role in the UK’s evacuation from Afghanistan – …
Read More »GA-ASI to Deliver 13 Additional Protector RPAS to UK MoD
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has exercised the clause in its contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to manufacture and deliver 13 additional Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) that had previously been identified as options. The initial contract order was for three Protector RPAS, …
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