Leonardo UK has announced a strategic partnership with London-based AI specialist Faculty, aimed at integrating advanced artificial intelligence into next-generation defence capabilities and accelerating the delivery of AI-powered systems to the British Armed Forces.
According to the firm, the partnership, unveiled on 12 May 2025, marks the first formal collaboration under Leonardo’s newly launched SME Collaboration Partner Programme in the UK. This initiative is designed to support smaller companies in overcoming barriers to defence market access, with a focus on co-developing products and services that address real-world operational challenges.
Initial projects will centre on the application of AI in Cognitive Intelligent Sensing (CoInS), a technology that uses machine learning algorithms to autonomously process sensor data and orient sensing systems in real time. Leonardo and Faculty aim to integrate this capability into military applications, including unmanned platforms and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems.
“Our goal is to move beyond a transactional prime-supplier relationship,” said Professor Simon Harwood, Capability Director at Leonardo UK. “We’ll be looking for opportunities where Leonardo’s expertise in defence electronics sensors and integration, military rotorcraft and cyber security can incorporate the AI expertise of Faculty to deliver something of tangible benefit to our customers.”
Beyond sensing systems, the two firms will also explore how AI can enhance electronic warfare payloads. Potential applications include boosting the performance of countermeasure systems such as Leonardo’s BriteCloud decoy and the newer BriteStorm jamming technology.
Leonardo has previously worked with Faculty on research projects involving autonomy and electronic warfare. The new agreement formalises the relationship, expanding it to include joint product development and closer engagement with defence customers.
Faculty AI’s CEO, Marc Warner, described the move as part of a broader mission to apply AI responsibly in the national security sector. “AI is already reshaping defence – enabling faster, more accurate decision-making, improved threat detection and greater operational efficiency,” Warner said. “This collaboration underscores our mission to deliver AI to enhance national security while ensuring it is deployed safely and ethically.”
In addition to product development, Leonardo will adopt Faculty’s AI tools across its UK operations to optimise internal processes. It also plans to sponsor a series of short-term industry fellowships for MSc and PhD graduates, embedding early-career talent into active projects supported by Faculty’s technical team.
Another important announcement today. MBDA are expanding their production facility in Bolton. Investing £200 million to crank up production of Meteor, Sea Venom, Brimstone missiles. 700 new jobs created.
That’s great. Makes sense to house production on Europe’s far western flank. No reason the UK can’t become the arsenal of freedom.