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Leonardo and Faculty AI Join Forces to Advance Next-Generation Defence Technologies in the UK
Leonardo UK and Faculty AI partner to advance AI-powered defence tech, focusing on faster deployment and enhanced capabilities in sensing and electronic warfare. Their collaboration supports innovation and SME engagement across the UK.
Leonardo and Faculty AI Join Forces to Boost Defence Tech with AI
12 May 2025
The UK branch of defence and security firm Leonardo has partnered with Faculty AI, a leading independent Artificial Intelligence company. Their collaboration targets faster development and deployment of AI-powered defence technologies, focusing on practical applications that benefit armed forces directly.
This partnership is the first under Leonardo’s SME Collaboration Partner Programme, which connects the company with innovative small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK. The programme aims to help these SMEs bring joint products and services to market, addressing a common challenge in defence innovation.
Accelerating AI Integration in Defence Systems
Leonardo and Faculty AI will initially work on integrating AI into Cognitive Intelligent Sensing (CoInS) and Electronic Warfare (EW) technologies. CoInS uses AI and machine learning to analyse real-time data, allowing sensors to orient themselves autonomously without human intervention. Such systems have applications beyond defence, including industrial robotics and human-computer interaction.
This effort is part of Leonardo’s broader AI roadmap for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). The companies will also explore enhancing electronic warfare payloads and countermeasures for combat aircraft, building on Leonardo’s successful BriteCloud decoy and BriteStorm jamming systems.
Enabling Practical AI Outcomes
Leonardo and Faculty AI have collaborated previously on specific research projects. Now, they are deepening their relationship to include joint product development and customer engagement. The goal is clear: use AI to improve product performance and reduce time-to-market for new defence capabilities.
Beyond product innovation, Faculty AI’s technology and expertise will support Leonardo’s internal operations across nine UK sites. The partnership will sponsor multiple “Faculty Fellowships” — short-term placements for PhD and MSc graduates — to deliver AI-driven projects within Leonardo’s programmes, supported by Faculty AI’s experts.
Leadership Perspectives
Professor Simon Harwood, Capability Director at Leonardo UK, said: “We want to move beyond transactional supplier relationships. By combining Leonardo’s defence electronics and integration expertise with Faculty’s AI capabilities, we aim to deliver real, tangible benefits for our customers.”
Marc Warner, CEO of Faculty AI, added: “AI is already changing defence by enabling faster, more accurate decision-making and better threat detection. Our collaboration with Leonardo focuses on applying AI safely and ethically to strengthen national security.”
SME Collaboration Partner Programme: Driving Innovation in Defence
Launched in March alongside commercialisation specialists Form1 Partners, the SME Collaboration Partner Programme aims to tackle the challenge SMEs face in converting innovation into market-ready defence solutions. A dedicated team from Leonardo and Form1 works closely with SME partners across the UK to bring collaborative products and services to market, enhancing sovereign capability for UK defence and allied forces.
For IT and development professionals interested in AI applications in defence, this partnership exemplifies how AI expertise can be integrated into complex systems and operations. To explore AI courses that build skills relevant to such collaborations, visit Complete AI Training - Latest AI Courses.