Cranfield shows Scotland's Transport Secretary latest tech advances

Above: Tim Mackley and Michael Matheson visit the UAV lab in the AIRC building. .
Courtesy Cranfield University

On the visit, the Transport Secretary heard from Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University, about their work on ‘Project Fresson’ with Loganair which aims to develop the world’s first electric-powered passenger flights on island-hopping routes between Orkney and Kirkwall.

Mr Matheson also toured some of Cranfield’s leading aerospace and aviation facilities including the Digital Air Traffic Control Centre, the first to be operational in the UK, and the Aerospace Integration Research Centre, a £35 million partnership between the University, Rolls-Royce, Airbus and the UK Government.

As well as current projects, Mr Matheson also heard about the developing Digital Aviation Research Technology Centre (DARTeC) and the Urban Observatory. DARTEC is a £67 million partnership between the University and major industry partners such as Aveillant, Boxarr, Saab and Thales, with support from Research England, that will spearhead the UK’s research into digital aviation. The Urban Observatory allows researchers at Cranfield, through a sensor network, to monitor environmental impact and suggest mitigation strategies at Cranfield Airport.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: ‘It was fascinating to visit Cranfield University to learn more about the latest technological developments in sustainable aviation.  It was also inspiring to hear about their work on ‘Project Fresson’, and their collaboration with Loganair aiming to develop the world’s first electric-powered passenger flights on island-hopping routes between Orkney and Kirkwall.

Professor Iain Gray, Director of Aerospace at Cranfield University, said: “I was delighted to show the Transport Secretary around Cranfield’s global research airport with its unique facilities. We are already seeing Scotland embracing sustainable aviation through developments such as ‘Project Fresson’ and it was a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate to Mr Matheson what more could be achieved through technological developments.