Leonardo, a prominent player in the aerospace and defense industry, has been recognized with three awards in the Diversity, Social, and Safety categories in the 2024 Airforce Technology Excellence Awards for its commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace, promoting social responsibility, and ensuring safety through innovation. 

The Airforce Technology Excellence Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations in the Defense industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies that are driving change in the industry. 

Leonardo won the Diversity award for its comprehensive gender equality initiatives, including the UNI/PdR125:2022 Certification and the empowering Springboard program. The Social award was given for its impactful STEM education programs and community engagement efforts through the Leonardo DRS Charitable Foundation. The Safety award recognized Leonardo’s innovative use of cognitive robotics and AI to enhance precision and reduce human error in helicopter maintenance operations. 

Advancing gender equality in aerospace workforce 

Leonardo’s commitment to gender equality is not just a strategic priority, but a core component of its corporate culture. The company’s achievement of the UNI/PdR125:2022 Certification for Gender Equality highlights its comprehensive approach to fostering an inclusive environment. This certification process involved a rigorous evaluation of Leonardo’s initiatives across various domains, including governance, training, growth opportunities, pay equity, parental protection, and work-life balance. By embedding the Gender Equality Strategic Plan within its broader Sustainability Plan, Leonardo ensures that gender equality is an integral part of its long-term business strategy. 

Leonardo obtains Gender Equality Certification
Credit: Leonardo

The Springboard program is a cornerstone of Leonardo’s efforts to empower women within the organization. Since its inception in 2020, the program has reached women across multiple countries, including Italy, the UK, USA, Switzerland, France, Poland, China, and Saudi Arabia. By focusing on enhancing self-awareness, decision-making abilities, and leadership skills, Springboard aims to create a pipeline of female talent ready to take on leadership roles within the company. The program’s success is reflected in the positive feedback from participants and the growing community of empowered women within Leonardo. 

Enhancing social responsibility through STEM education and community engagement 

Leonardo’s social responsibility initiatives are deeply rooted in its commitment to education and community development. The STEMLab and “In volo con Leonardo” programs are designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by providing access to high-quality educational resources. These initiatives have reached over 1,600 teachers and tens of thousands of students across Italy, offering a range of multimedia teaching resources and interactive learning experiences. By aligning these programs with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Leonardo is contributing to the global effort to enhance scientific literacy and technological capabilities. 

Credit: Leonardo

In addition to its educational initiatives, Leonardo actively engages with communities through the Leonardo DRS Charitable Foundation. The foundation supports a wide range of causes, including those related to the United States Armed Forces, children’s health, and education. Employees are encouraged to participate in volunteer work and contribute to nonprofit organizations, with programs in place for contribution matching and paid time off for volunteering. This holistic approach to social responsibility ensures that Leonardo’s impact extends beyond its immediate business operations, fostering positive change in the communities it serves. 

Enhancing safety through automated inspection and maintenance innovations 

Leonardo’s focus on safety is exemplified by its pioneering use of cognitive robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in maintenance operations. The development of a robotic solution for inspecting helicopter blades, in collaboration with Comau, represents a significant advancement in the aerospace industry’s approach to safety and precision. This system utilizes cognitive robotics and advanced vision systems to autonomously perform detailed inspections, reducing the risk of human error and enhancing the overall safety of maintenance operations. 

The AWARE program further underscores Leonardo’s commitment to leveraging technology for safety improvements. By automating the inspection process, AWARE provides a complete digital history of each structure, enabling technicians to focus on analyzing data and making informed decisions. The program’s use of AI algorithms and innovative sensors allows for the detection of anomalies and corrosion at an early stage, minimizing disruption and enhancing the reliability of aircraft operations. This integration of advanced technology into maintenance processes not only improves safety, but also optimizes workflow and operational efficiency, setting a new standard for the industry. 

Company Profile 

Leonardo is a provider of global security and advanced technology systems for applications in the aerospace, defense, and security sectors. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and delivers tiltrotor, aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, defense aircraft, multi-mission transport aircraft, multi-mission surveillance aircraft, mission systems, electronic warfare, radar systems, space systems and equipment, maritime control, optronics systems, mobility solutions, cybersecurity solutions and ict solutions. Leonardo offers services under customer support and training, satellite services and simulation. The company operates through a network of joint ventures and subsidiaries across the US, Italy, the UK. Leonardo is headquartered in Rome, Lazio, Italy. 

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