A night vision camera manufactured in Southampton was used to capture some of the stunning images that have captivated viewers of Planet Earth III.
Thermal imaging equipment supplied by Leonardo UK enabled members of the production crew to film wildlife activity that would not have been visible to conventional cameras.
Footage shot on Namibia's Skeleton Coast appeared in the first episode of the series, which is narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
The camera recorded nocturnal images of roosting cormorants being stalked by desert lionesses.
A BBC spokesperson said: "Planet Earth III features two lion sisters who were orphaned at a young age and whose lives have consisted of scavenging for food.
"The sequence was filmed using a military-grade thermal camera.
"This technology enabled the crew to capture footage of lions hunting cormorants at night, a behaviour these sisters had to teach themselves as they lost their mother when they were young."
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Planet Earth III, which began on October 22, is an eight-part documentary co-produced by BBC Studios, BBC America, and the Open University.
It comprises the third installment in the Planet Earth series that began with Planet Earth in 2006 and Planet Earth II in 2016.
Over the years feedback from camera crews involved in various wildlife series has been used by Leonardo UK to enhance its equipment.
The company's products enabled the makers of Planet Earth II to record award-winning footage of leopards hunting in Mumbai. It was also used in the production of Seven Worlds, One Planet as well as Dynasties, which featured footage of lions in Kenya’s Masai Mara.
A touch-screen tablet has been added to the back of the imager to control the focus and zoom functions.
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Other improvements include a miniature video recorder mounted on top, which allows the operator to work alone and thus cause minimal disruption to wildlife.
Leonardo has sites across the UK including a £10m facility at Millbrook Industrial Park. where it employs 400 people.
The company's sustainability spokesperson, Zevi Watmough, said: "Temperature increases and rising sea levels are affecting wildlife and natural habitats around the world.
"While many of us are already aware of these facts, you feel you understand the impact so much more when you see the images of the ways in which wildlife and the natural world are being transformed.
"We are proud to support the BBC’s pioneering series, which helps us all to appreciate and celebrate the wildlife that exists on our planet."
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