Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Flare Bright wins two UKRI Future Flight Phase 3 Projects

Aerospace

Flare Bright wins two UKRI Future Flight Phase 3 Projects

Flare Bright has won a third round of successful funding for two projects from the Future Challenge at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to develop next-generation drone flight designed to position the UK as a world leader in aviation.

Image courtesy Flare Bright

The Phase 3 projects from the Future Flight Challenge share £73 million in funding to develop and demonstrate integrated aviation systems and new vehicle technologies.

Taking place in locations across the UK, including the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, the projects highlight the strength of UK aviation innovation.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Chris Daniels, Chief Commercial Officer of Flare Bright said: “The UKRI Future Flight group of organisations is a who’s who of the UK’s innovative aviation industry. Flare Bright is delighted to be part of this group and is punching above its weight with gaining these two awards.”

Gary Cutts, Future Flight Challenge Director said: “Phase 3 of the Future Flight challenge is all about moving innovative technologies forwards, making them ready for real world use cases in 2024. The UK has an excellent safety record when it comes to aviation and we’re determined to make sure these new autonomous technologies work as safely as possible. What Flare Bright is doing in project SATE and project SafeZone will help ensure we can bring these new technologies into service in the safest possible way.”

Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE)
Phase 3 of SATE will enable the demonstration of novel aviation technologies with proven use cases to commercialise clean innovation in a real world environment. This test environment will accelerate technology developers’ ability to get to market and aid the progress of both the UK and Scottish government’s aviation aspirations.

In Phase 2 Flare Bright demonstrated precision flights of a parcel-sized gliding drone system as part of a novel remote delivery concept. In this next phase, Flare Bright will use their Machine Learning Digital Twin ecosystem to develop a dedicated test environment airspace to assure a safety case and the regulatory approvals required for any drone flight going forward.

The funding will allow for the SATE project, based at Kirkwall Airport in the Orkney Islands, to build on the success of Phase 2, which created the UK’s first low-carbon aviation test centre embedded at a commercial airport.

SafeZone
SafeZone is making drone flights safer by creating a data service that provides real-time information about aerodynamic hazards in urban environments.

Advertisement
Teledyne

The SafeZone team will generate and use localised aerodynamic meteorological data to allow unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to adapt their route as they fly through wind changes and close to buildings for inspection purposes within an airport environment. The partnership plans to use these results to enable the delivery of a new live data service to provide real-time information about aerodynamic hazards in urbanised environments.
 
SafeZone draws on Flare Bright’s expertise in Machine Learning Digital Twins for drones, which has aided the design, build and flying of UAVs and the ground-breaking capabilities of their wind-measuring nano-drone. This tech is combined with Zenotech’s cutting-edge high-performance computing and flow simulation tools, capabilities and in-house expertise.

In Phase 3 Cardiff International Airport joins as a project partner and will host the flight testing. Cranfield University is also a partner on the project. 

 

 

Advertisement
PTC PTC
Flights increase as summer hots up

Aerospace

Flights increase as summer hots up

18 July 2025

UK air traffic in June increased by 2.5% on the same month last year as NATS, the UK’s major provider of air traffic services, safely handled 237,215 flights, up more than 2,600 on May.

ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

Aerospace

ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

17 July 2025

ZeroAvia today announced it has been awarded nine new patents this year so far, with many critical to the company’s roadmap for scaling hydrogen-electric engines for large regional aircraft.

BBGA co-hosts Isle of Man Aviation Conference

Aerospace

BBGA co-hosts Isle of Man Aviation Conference

17 July 2025

For the first time, the British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) joined Martyn Fiddler as joint hosts of the 13th Isle of Man Aviation Conference, bringing together 120 business aviation delegates at Douglas’ Villa Marina venue.

Flying to become more accessible for disabled people

Aerospace

Flying to become more accessible for disabled people

16 July 2025

An industry and consumer expert group, tasked by the UK Government to advise on how to make flying more accessible for disabled people, has unveiled its suite of recommendations today.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

Aerospace

Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

15 July 2025

Doncasters today announced the successful commissioning of a brand-new, fully automated shell line, at its Groton facility in the US - a major milestone within its 2025 Performance Improvement Plan and a key advancement in the company’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

Aerospace

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

15 July 2025

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft today announced plans to work together on developing regional hydrogen-electric VTOL air travel.

Advertisement
ODU RT