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
PTC rectangle

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
FIA2026 animated banner
Milestone reached with expansion of FRA over Scotland

Aerospace

Milestone reached with expansion of FRA over Scotland

24 March 2026

UK airspace modernisation has passed a major milestone with the expansion of Free Route Airspace (FRA) across Scottish Upper Airspace, delivering significant environmental and operational benefits for the aviation industry.

Global carbon standard reveals latest airport climate action worldwide

Aerospace

Global carbon standard reveals latest airport climate action worldwide

24 March 2026

Airports Council International has today published the annual results on carbon performance and participation trends for its global carbon management standard for airports, Airport Carbon Accreditation.

Aircraft orders in February hit three-year high

Aerospace

Aircraft orders in February hit three-year high

24 March 2026

Commercial aircraft orders grew by 83% in February 2026 compared to February 2025 figures, marking the strongest February orderbook since 2023 according to trade association ADS.

British Airways

Aerospace Space

British Airways' first Starlink flight takes off

23 March 2026

British Airways’ first aircraft equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi took off to Houston last Thursday, the first flight operated by a UK airline featuring the innovative technology.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Global Innovation Centre opened by ePropelled in Coventry

Aerospace Defence Security

Global Innovation Centre opened by ePropelled in Coventry

23 March 2026

Provider of smart propulsion solutions and energy management systems for uncrewed vehicles, ePropelled, has opened its new Global Innovation Centre in Coventry, expanding the UK’s sovereign capability in electric and hybrid propulsion as the company scales toward producing more than one million propulsion systems annually by 2027.

GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity

Aerospace

GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity

19 March 2026

GE Aerospace plans to invest more than €110 million across its European manufacturing sites this year as it looks to expand production capacity, accelerate advanced manufacturing and strengthen delivery, including significant investment in the upgrade of multiple sites across the UK.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner