Electronic components are at the very core of our defence capabilities. For us at MBDA, innovation in this sector goes beyond high-performance; it means adapting commercial technologies to survive the extreme demands of missile systems environments. MBDA experts work every day to meet this challenge.
Leveraging Commercial Tech for Military Excellence
MBDA starts with commercially available components—proven, cutting-edge, and cost-effective. The magic then lies in the details of how these parts are selected and assembled. The goal: to develop compact, robust electronics capable of withstanding intense conditions while delivering the intended performance. “It’s basically like building an iPhone, but one that would still work perfectly in a freezer, in an oven, or after being thrown against a wall, and also has military-grade security and safety”, explains Julien, electronics expert at MBDA.
Today, artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in defence systems, confronting our engineers with new challenges. Computational and data analysis demands are hundreds of times higher than a few years ago. To face these issues, MBDA teams are working to improve energy efficiency and innovate in heat dissipation techniques. The challenge lies in achieving more within the same volume, without increasing costs or complexity. In a nutshell: “Putting more and more capability inside the same electronic box”.
But there is more: safety and cybersecurity are obviously key constraints for missile systems, so MBDA has extensive expertise in those domains, from deploying robust processes to implementing custom electronic components to deliver safe and secure products.
To support both the product development cycle and the mass production of missile systems, MBDA has also been investing internally for decades to develop a comprehensive portfolio of test equipment matching the performance, safety and security of the embedded electronics that they verify.
Leveraging 3D Printing to address new expectations
MBDA is pioneering innovative projects related to additive manufacturing, across many areas of production, including electronics. Metal 3D printing enables engineers to create lighter, thermally optimised enclosures, replacing traditional metal boxes. These innovations allow more functions to be integrated into fewer modules, reducing cost, mass and system complexity.
But the benefits of 3D printing go beyond space and mass optimisation. The MIME project, supported by the CW-ITP French-British innovation programme, uses 3D metal-on-plastic deposition techniques, which in a few years will allow the defence industry to print some of the electronic circuits onto complex surfaces, through optimised processes of additive manufacturing. This is just one example of how collaborative innovation is helping address the new challenges of defence electronics.
Partnerships, and Collaborative Innovation Across Borders
MBDA’s CW ITP (Complex Weapons Innovation Technology Partnership) identifies and nurtures early-stage technologies with game-changing potential. It's a unique initiative backed by French and UK MoDs, targeting technologies with low maturity levels—planting the seeds for tomorrow’s defence industry. The MIME project is one of the many innovative breakthroughs that came out of the programme.
“We work both internally, with our collaborators, and externally, with SMEs and start-ups, to foster innovation”, explains Julien. A lot of internal research and development is led, but collaborative work with universities and external parties is strongly supported by MBDA. “For several years now, MBDA has been prioritising R&D projects involving two or more countries. Quite naturally, many needs are common between national branches of MBDA, so there is a convergence of interests”.
Sovereignty and Sustainability, in a shifting market landscape
The commercial electronics market is consolidating into fewer and larger component manufacturers, raising concerns over strong dependency on non-European suppliers. Geopolitical shifts have triggered a renewed push for European industrial sovereignty—an opportunity MBDA is seizing through collaborative efforts to develop and manufacture sovereign components. In a moving geostrategic context and push for more European autonomy, MBDA also benefits from years of active participation in EDA (European Defence Agency) projects.
A complementary focus is environmental sustainability: MBDA’s strategy starts at the electronic component level, by rigorously filtering materials not only to guarantee compliance but also to minimise environmental impact. Eco-design principles now guide every phase, from design to end-of-life disposal.
At MBDA, innovation in electronics is about pushing boundaries: combining robustness, intelligence, and efficiency to create next-generation missile systems. Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to sustainability, MBDA continues to lead in shaping the future of defence electronics.
>> To learn more about the innovation at MBDA and how we support it, take a look at our dedicated page