What Leonardo Electronics US does

Leonardo Electronics US Inc. is the U.S. operating subsidiary of Italy's Leonardo S.p.A. (FTSE-MIB: LDO), headquartered in McLean, Virginia, and structured under a Special Security Agreement that allows a foreign-owned entity to bid on classified U.S. defense programs. The company develops multi-domain electronic solutions spanning Command and Control, Electronic Warfare, Radars and Sensors, Air Traffic Management, Communications, Optronics, Avionics, and Defence Systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Its technology portfolio rests on an in-house GaAs/GaN Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit foundry (a European-leading asset), proprietary Software Defined Radio architectures (the SWave® SRT-800 family) that are ITAR-free and NATO Crypto Modernization compliant, the CM107/CM107E-M high-grade encryptor family, the RT-200/400 HF transceiver line, and the SP-1450/N-E airborne intercommunication system. The company has consolidated 50+ years of experience in radar (RF) and infrared (IR) sensors and supplies components for civil and military applications integrated on air, sea, missile, and space platforms.

Leonardo Electronics US generates revenue almost exclusively through B2G and B2B defense channels — direct sales to government defense agencies (U.S. Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy, Italian Ministry of Defence), NATO and allied procurement programs (NATO AWACS E-3A fleet, Brazilian Army EMADS), and as an OEM subsystem supplier to defense primes including MBDA, Iveco Defence Vehicles, Boeing, and Rheinmetall. Pricing is negotiated through competitive defense procurement rather than published. The company was most recently awarded a place on the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract framework, with a ceiling value of $151 billion, positioning it to compete for task orders involving advanced laser systems, sensors, and electronic warfare technologies for layered defense systems. Notable scale signals include air defence and surveillance radars installed in 58 countries, Leonardo systems on platforms serving more than 70 navies, and airport air-traffic-management systems across five continents.

Day-to-day operations at the U.S. subsidiary are led by CEO Thomas J. Glynn. The company participates in flagship multinational programs including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP, with Italy, Japan, and the UK), the European Secure Software Defined Radio (ESSOR) project, and the EuroMIDS Link 16 consortium, alongside joint-venture activity with Rheinmetall in military vehicles. Across the parent group, Leonardo S.p.A. launched a "2026 Transition Plan" and approved a new organizational structure in June 2026, indicating active capital and governance attention to the Electronics division as a core growth engine.

Name

Leonardo Electronics US

Legal name

Leonardo Electronics US Inc.

Website

https://electronics.leonardo.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Leonardo Electronics US is the U.S. defense-electronics subsidiary of Italy's Leonardo S.p.A., developing multi-domain radar, electronic warfare, communications, and sensor systems for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy, NATO, and allied defense forces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Electronics

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)

akta.pro primary industry

Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electronic Warfare (EW) & SIGINT/ELINT Systems (IMABAGAB), Military Aerospace Communications, Datalinks & Networking (IMABAMAK), Secure Communications, Cryptography & Key Management Systems (IMABAOAK), RF, Microwave & Wireless ICs (HDAHAAAF)

Keywords

• Defense electronics systems
• Military radar systems
• Secure tactical communications
• Electronic warfare solutions
• Air traffic management radars

Headquarters

HQ city

Mclean

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. U.S. Defense Contracts: Leonardo Electronics US competes for task orders under the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD contract framework involving advanced laser systems, sensors, and electronic warfare technologies for layered defense systems. The contract has an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity arrangement with a ceiling value of $151 billion.
2. Defense Electronics Systems: Leonardo develops and sells multi-domain electronic solutions including radars, sensors, communications, electronic warfare, optronics, avionics, and defense systems. Revenue is generated through direct sales to government defense agencies and NATO allied forces.
3. Air Traffic Management: Airports across five continents use Leonardo systems for air traffic control. Systems include ground-based radar, communications, and integrated ATM solutions for civil aviation infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Leonardo Electronics US develops and manufactures multi-domain electronic systems for defense and civil applications, including radars, sensors, electronic warfare suites, optical/infrared systems, avionics, secure communications, and air traffic management solutions. The product portfolio spans Software Defined Radios (SWave SRT-800), HF transceivers (RT-200/400), high-grade encryptors (CM107 family), airborne intercom systems (SP-1450), and ground-based surveillance radars (KRONOS family), supported by an in-house GaAs/GaN MMIC foundry. These offerings are sold to military forces, government defense agencies, and NATO allied forces worldwide, and are integrated into OEM platforms by prime defense contractors.

Product overview

Leonardo Electronics is a defense electronics division developing multi-domain electronic solutions across eight solution areas: Command and Control, Electronic Warfare, Radars and Sensors, Air Traffic Management, Communications, Optronics, Avionics, and Defence Systems. The portfolio centers on advanced electronic systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Core communications products include the SWave SRT-800 Software Defined Radio (integrated on NATO AWACS since 2021), the RT-200/400 HF transceiver family, CM107/CM107E-M encryptor family, and SP-1450/N-E intercommunications system. Supporting infrastructure includes an in-house GaAs/GaN MMIC foundry for radar and microwave applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SWave SRT-800 Software Defined Radio Software Defined Radio (SDR) transceiver providing secure and cyber-resilient VHF/UHF connectivity for military and civil airborne applications, with a modular architecture and low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) factor.
• RT-200/400 HF Transceiver Family Advanced HF/SSB transceivers for fixed-wing and rotary-wing air platforms providing voice and data communications over the 2-30 MHz frequency range, with ALE 2G/3G functionality, reduced dimensions, and ~40% lower TX power consumption than the previous generation.
• CM107 / CM107E-M Encryptor Family Programmable high-grade encryptors for protecting voice and data communications in airborne, land, and naval applications; ITAR-free and compliant with the NATO Crypto Modernization Program.
• SP-1450/N-E Airborne InterCommunications System Scalable airborne InterCommunications System for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft that manages audio communications of all on-board radios, navigation equipment, data links, and internal/external communications facilities through a single architecture; TEMPEST-qualified per SDIP 27.
• KRONOS LAND C-band Radar C-band radar selected for the Brazilian Army's medium-range ground-based air defence missile system (EMADS), integrating with MBDA's CAMM-ER missile and Iveco Defence Vehicles' trucks.
• GaAs/GaN MMIC Foundry Services In-house foundry specializing in the production of Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) using GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) and GaN (Gallium Nitride) technologies, essential for next-generation multi-functional AESA radars and supplied to civil and military applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Air defence and surveillance radars installed in 58 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2026Leonardo Electronics US was awarded a place on the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD contract framework, an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity arrangement with a ceiling value of $151 billion. The contract positions the company to compete for task orders involving advanced laser systems, sensors, and electronic warfare technologies for layered defense systems.
• MBDAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Leonardo Electronics' KRONOS LAND C-band radar was selected for integration into MBDA's Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions (EMADS) for the Brazilian Army's medium-range ground-based air defence missile system project Sis AAAe Me Altu/Me Alc. MBDA leads the EMADS program with Leonardo providing the radar subsystem.
• Iveco Defence VehiclescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo Electronics' KRONOS LAND C-band radar integrated into the EMADS system deployed on Iveco Defence Vehicles' high-mobility trucks for Brazilian Army's medium-range GBAD system.
• Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo participates in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a multinational fighter aircraft development program involving Italy, Japan, and the UK. Leonardo develops advanced communications systems including Intra Flight Data Link combining low observance/detection with high transmission capacity.
• Leonardo Rheinmetall Military VehiclescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture between Leonardo and Rheinmetall for military vehicles development, combining Leonardo's electronics and sensor capabilities with Rheinmetall's vehicle platform expertise.
• LBA SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo subsidiary LBA Systems provides specialized defense electronics systems as part of Leonardo's broader defense electronics portfolio.
• EuroMIDS ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo develops L-band MIDS-LVT Link 16 tactical data links as part of the EuroMIDS consortium for multi-domain command and control applications on various platforms.
• European Secure Software Defined Radio (ESSOR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo developed advanced Software Defined Radio technology as part of the European Secure Software Defined Radio (ESSOR) project, contributing to armed forces interoperability standards.
• Atlantic CouncilminorOthersAtlantic Council published policy report arguing that Special Security Agreements (SSAs) permitting foreign-owned companies to participate in US defense contracts are strategic assets. Leonardo Electronics US operates under SSA framework.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BAE Systems: BAE Systems is a direct peer in electronic warfare, avionics, and secure communications, particularly on US Navy and allied airborne platforms where Leonardo's SRT radios and CM107 encryptors are integrated.
• Thales: Thales is a European-headquartered peer with overlapping radar (Ground Master family), EW and secure communications portfolios, serving the same NATO and allied customer base that Leonardo targets, and competing for ground-based air defense and airborne ISR programs.
• Raytheon Technologies (RTX): Raytheon's defense electronics, radar (including Patriot and SPY family) and electronic warfare portfolios directly overlap Leonardo Electronics US's product set across missile defense, airborne ISR and naval systems, competing head-to-head for SHIELD task orders and allied procurement.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a direct peer across tactical communications (Falcon family SDR), EW and naval integrated mission systems; its Falcon SDR competes directly with SWave SRT-800 and CM107 encryptors on allied airborne and naval platforms.
• Saab: Saab's Giraffe radar family, EW portfolio and naval sensor systems compete directly with Leonardo for ground-based air defense and naval electronics programs across allied markets.
• Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems is a direct peer in EW, radar, communications and optronics for airborne, naval and land platforms, competing with Leonardo across NATO, Israeli and export markets.
• Hensoldt: Hensoldt is a focused European peer in radar, sensor and EW subsystems (TRS/TRML family), competing directly with KRONOS LAND in ground-based air defense and with Leonardo in naval and air-traffic-management radars.
• Northrop Grumman: Northrop's radar and EW franchises (e.g., GBSD radar work, EW systems) and integrated mission systems make it a primary US-domestic competitor for SHIELD task orders and for KRONOS-class ground-based air defense radar opportunities.

Broad incumbents

• Lockheed Martin: Lockheed is a broader incumbent prime with extensive radar and missile-defense exposure (e.g., on Aegis, PAC-3) that overlaps Leonardo's offerings as a platform integrator and competing subsystems supplier in SHIELD-class opportunities.

Regional players

• Indra: Indra is a Spanish-headquartered peer with radar, EW and air-traffic-management systems that compete with Leonardo in European and Latin American defense markets, and through NATO procurement channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leonardo-airborne-space-systems

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leonardo Electronics US