Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

Funding for UK aerospace transformation

Projects that could strengthen the UK aerospace industry through new technologies, are invited to participate in a regular competition that is part of the £3.9 billion UK Aerospace Research and Technology (UKART) programme, aimed at securing the UK's world-leading position in civil aerospace.

The UK houses some of the world’s most prolific aerospace companies, including Boeing, Rolls-Royce and Airbus, and employs over 360,000 people. However, maintaining the UK aerospace industry’s global authority requires exploring emerging opportunities and markets.

To this end, organisations are invited to express an interest in a £150 million annual competition with their innovative ideas for aerospace design and manufacture.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The investment is part of the £3.9 billion UK Aerospace Research and Technology (UKART) programme, a partnership between government and industry that aims to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in civil aerospace. The best projects will then be invited to apply for grant funding.

Eyes on the sky
Priority areas within the UK Aerospace Technology Strategy include whole aircraft design and integration, aerostructures, advanced systems and propulsion technologies. This competition provides funding for industrial research or capital investment projects.

Priority areas include:

  • bolstering UK whole-aircraft design and system integration
  • future-proofing advanced systems technologies in the UK – specifically, smart, connected and more electric aircrafts
  • securing the UK’s world-leading position in large, complex aviation structures, particularly wings
  • developing more efficient propulsion technologies, including large turbofans

Projects must align with the aerospace technology strategy.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Competition information

  • the competition will open on 3rd May 2019, and the deadline for expressions of interest is at midday on 22nd May 2019
  • UK-based business, research and technology groups and academic organisations can be the project lead, depending on the project type
  • businesses can attract a maximum of 50% grant funding. Within that, individual businesses can attract up to 70% depending on funding requests from other partners
  • organisations must sign up to the ATI framework agreement
  • an online briefing event will be held on 10th May 2019 where organisations can find out more about the competition and applying


To find out more about this competition and apply, click here

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
May

Aerospace

May's air passenger demand down whilst air cargo demand rises

30 June 2026

International Air Transport Association (IATA) data for May 2026 global passenger demand revealed that air passenger demand fell by 2.2% and air cardo rose by 6.0%, compared to May 2025 levels.

SAS orders 18 A330neo aircraft

Aerospace

SAS orders 18 A330neo aircraft

30 June 2026

Scandinavian carrier SAS has placed a firm order with Airbus for 18 A330-900 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, as part of its ongoing fleet renewal strategy.

London City Airport appoints Jonathan Rayner as COO

Aerospace

London City Airport appoints Jonathan Rayner as COO

30 June 2026

London City Airport has today announced the appointment of Jonathan Rayner as its new Chief Commercial Officer (COO) and a member of the Executive Committee.

ADS sees aircraft deliveries up 45%

Aerospace

ADS sees aircraft deliveries up 45%

30 June 2026

ADS has reported that commercial aircraft orders and deliveries have surged during May 2026, with aircraft deliveries seeing a 45% increase compared to May 2025.

Advertisement
ODU RT
CAA warns of risks posed by incorrectly packed batteries

Aerospace Security

CAA warns of risks posed by incorrectly packed batteries

26 June 2026

Ahead of the big summer getaway where over 60 million people are expected to be flying, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is telling all passengers to 'pack right for a safe flight' by taking their batteries in the cabin with them.

University of Bristol study looks at reducing vertical air taxi noise

Aerospace

University of Bristol study looks at reducing vertical air taxi noise

25 June 2026

The University of Bristol has published a study in Applied Acoustics this week, showing how landing pad design could reduce noise for vertical air taxis.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB