Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

Optima opens new 3D weaving facility

Optima Technology Ltd, based in Huddersfield West Yorkshire, today announced the opening of their new manufacturing facility dedicated to the design and production of 3D weaving machines.

Optima have developed a new generation of 3D weaving machines, particularly aimed at the rapidly expanding composite and speciality materials weaving market.

Optima’s design concept embraces a new approach to weaving, rather than following the conventional route of modifying 2D weaving machinery and equipment, thereby taking advantage of technology developments such as linear motors, digital control systems, and also utilising 3D design and manufacturing technology. The result is a very versatile design, coupled with much simpler operating characteristics, and delivered in a much more compact form.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Led by Peter Bryant, Stephen Cooper and John Gledhill, Optima 3D was formed in 2018 when they created their first prototype of a pioneering 3D weaving machine. Peter, Stephen and John have over 100 years of engineering, weaving and manufacturing experience between them and are passionate about producing innovative products using cutting edge technology.

Prototype testing has been ongoing for over a year, and the design proven with rigorous field testing. The first production machines are now in build, and a launch date will be announced shortly. It is expected that the aerospace, biomedical and R&D sectors will find the innovative Optima product particularly appealing.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Air passenger and air cargo demand rose above 5% in November 2025

Aerospace

Air passenger and air cargo demand rose above 5% in November 2025

8 January 2026

International Air Transport Association (IATA) data reveals that global passenger demand was up by 5.7% and air cargo demand up by 5.5%, in November last year.

MTC accelerates strategic vision with non-exec appointments

Aerospace

MTC accelerates strategic vision with non-exec appointments

7 January 2026

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has appointed Natascha Engel, Professor Paul Monks CB and Professor Rachel O’Reilly MBE as non-executive directors to its board, strengthening its commitment to deliver the UK’s industrial strategy and drive innovation in advanced manufacturing.

Norton Rose Fulbright expands global aviation offering

Aerospace

Norton Rose Fulbright expands global aviation offering

7 January 2026

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has further strengthened its global aviation practice with the appointment of aviation finance partner Leo Fattorini as its Head of Aircraft Finance, Asia and the Middle East, based in Singapore.

IFS to acquire Softeon

Aerospace Defence Security

IFS to acquire Softeon

6 January 2026

IFS today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Softeon, a provider of cloud-native Warehouse Management, Warehouse Execution and Distributed Order Management solutions.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Luton Airport and University of Beds sign AI partnership

Aerospace

Luton Airport and University of Beds sign AI partnership

6 January 2026

London Luton Airport (LLA) and the University of Bedfordshire have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration.

STARLUX takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

Aerospace

STARLUX takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

6 January 2026

STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has taken delivery of its first of 18 A350-1000s, becoming the 11th global operator of the largest version of the A350.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB