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
Hexagon leaderboard
CAA licences NATS to deliver UKADS

Aerospace

CAA licences NATS to deliver UKADS

7 May 2026

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has made changes to the air traffic services licence held by NATS, with the new regulatory framework enabling NATS to begin delivering the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS), establishing new responsibilities for NATS in airspace design and coordination, alongside arrangements to support airports in progressing ...

AirAsia orders 150 A220s

Aerospace

AirAsia orders 150 A220s

7 May 2026

Malaysia’s AirAsia has placed an order for 150 latest generation A220-300 aircraft, which is the largest single firm order placed for the A220 and propels the programme beyond the 1,000 firm order milestone.

Voyant appoints James Norwood as CEO

Aerospace Defence Security

Voyant appoints James Norwood as CEO

7 May 2026

Voyant today announced the appointment of James Norwood as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Weald Electronics celebrates 50th Anniversary

Aerospace Defence

Weald Electronics celebrates 50th Anniversary

6 May 2026

Horsham based Weald Electronics Ltd, a major UK manufacturer of electrical connectors and accessories for defence and demanding industrial applications established on 27th April 1976, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Cross Manufacturing expands AS9100 Certification across all its sites

Aerospace Defence

Cross Manufacturing expands AS9100 Certification across all its sites

6 May 2026

Cross Manufacturing has announced that its Devizes North site has successfully achieved AS9100 certification, completing a key stage of the company’s strategic expansion to support customers in the aerospace and defence sectors.

Downtown Skyport welcomes multiple point-to-point eVTOL flights

Aerospace

Downtown Skyport welcomes multiple point-to-point eVTOL flights

6 May 2026

Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports) welcomed multiple point-to-point eVTOL flights to Downtown Skyport - New York’s first - during Joby’s '2026 Electric Skies Tour' New York City Flight Campaign, which took place between 23rd April - 1st May 2026.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB