UK
The UK Government boosts aerospace manufacturing with £90m investment. Credit: Johan Van Wambeke on Unsplash.

UK Business Minister Paul Scully has announced a nearly £90m investment for five aerospace projects through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Innovate UK, and the Aerospace Technology Institute have selected the grant winners.

Special focus is being given on projects that aim to create lightweight materials and parts, which will help in reducing fuel usage. They will be implemented on future hybrid and electric aircraft.

Projects receiving the funding are GKN Aerospace-led Aerospace and Automotive Supply Chain Enabled Development (ASCEND), Renishaw-led Large Scale Additive Manufacturing for Defence and Aerospace (LAMDA), Q5D-led LiveWire, Airbus-led Smarter Testing and Thales-led Connected Reconfigurable Factory (COREF).

Scully said: “This multimillion-pound cash injection will safeguard vital jobs and support the aerospace sector as it builds back stronger after the pandemic.

“Manufacturing is at the very heart of the UK industry, and innovative processes will ensure that the UK is at the forefront of global efforts as we develop technology that can power a green aviation revolution.”

The government-industry funding will help secure 1,400 jobs across Bristol, Belfast, South Wales and Somerset.

The ATI Programme seeks to protect the country’s manufacturing sector by enhancing production in the aerospace industry and develop technology for rapid production lines.

ASCEND aims to develop and accelerate new lightweight, composite technology, including aircraft wing components, in the aerospace and automotive sectors.

LAMDA will develop a 3D metal printing machine to mass-produce smaller components for aircraft, and LiveWire seeks to automate wiring in aircraft.

Airbus-led Smarter Testing will create a novel test and certification process for aeronautical structures while the Thales-led COREF project will focus on developing two open-access, digitally connected innovation laboratories.