News - Next generation Light- armour weapon (NLAW)

Leafield Engineering Limited (LEL) is delighted to be involved in the NLAW programme and predicts the contract will facilitate additional investment and provide significant continuity of employment for many highly skilled engineers within the South West.

Mr. Bob Dyke, Managing Director of LEL, said “Leafield is proud to be playing a part in the production of a missile which is expected to have worldwide export appeal, with predicted sales of 80,000 to 100,000 weapons, manufactured and supplied by the NLAW Team.”

“This missile is second to none and we are pleased that the Ministry of Defence has put its trust in the NLAW team. The NLAW programme is ensuring that a high level of technology transfers and Industrialisation in the UK with significant opportunity to increase exports. This means to Leafield the potential to exploit new technologies which will ensure a long-term future on this and similar programmes.”

“LEL is a very pro-active member of the NLAW Team, which comprise of 20 UK subcontractors selected by SAAB Bofors Dynamics (SBD) to meet the UK MoD ‘s requirement for 100% UK Industrialisation Participation in the NLAW programme. This programme is also being part funded by Sweden and could enter service with the Swedish Army as part of a joint contract managed by DPA on behalf of UK and Swedish governments.”

“Since the contract announcement our engineering team has been working very closely with the SBD engineers and an excellent relationship has already been established between the two organisations which bodes well for the future of this very strategically important contract. The very necessary and high level of ongoing dialogue is achieved by having meetings in both UK and Sweden and using the company and video and tele-conference facilities”.

 “Leafield is involved with the development and manufacture of three very safety critical subassemblies. The Safe Arm Device, Missile Detent and Miniature Detonation Cord assemblies will be produced and tested within our factory at Corsham in Wiltshire. Both the SBD designed Safe Arm Device and Missile Detent now incorporate Leafield designed piston gas motors (protractors) which is a very good statement of confidence in our design capability.”

“The strategy of forming a NLAW type team early and open involvement with the customer is proving a model that is being adopted on other major programmes and the UK taxpayer will get excellent value for money and UK industry will be at the forefront of delivering this programme. We look forward to delivering the system to the Army and creating further jobs through exports."

For further information contact:
Leafield Engineering Limited
Leafield Way,
Corsham,
Wiltshire SN13 9SS,
UK