Aerospace innovations supported by £47m fund

Funding seeks to further strengthen the UK's position in the sector

Business minister Anna Soubry has announced 23 winners of a £47 million joint government and industry funding competition, ‘Building UK’s leadership in aerospace technology’, at the Aerodays event in London.

The competition is awarding funding from the joint commitment for aerospace R&D run by Innovate UK and supported by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and seeks to further strengthen the UK's position in aerospace.

The funding has led to successful proposals involving 100 different organisations including 55 small and medium sized businesses and 11 universities.

Winners of the funding include a £2.15 million project by Southampton-based company Ilika, Reliance Precision Engineering, University of Sheffield, GKN and BAE Systems. The groups will will develop a new generation of self-healing alloys – those with the ability to remove micro-cracks without human interaction.

A project by TE Connectivity worth £1.9 million has also received the funding, which will help them to assess how lightweight printed circuits can replace wiring – reducing fuel consumption and improving emissions.

Finally, a £1.1 million project led by Advanced Innovative Engineering (UK) is also included. The group says it will help them to develop electrical power systems for the next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Business minister Anna Soubry said: “Backed by almost £50 million from government and industry, these truly innovative projects will help maintain our position as a world leader in aerospace.

“We will continue to work closely with industry, to increase productivity and growth, raise skill levels and keep us ahead of our international competitors.”

Gary Elliott, chief executive of the ATI, added: “We are very pleased to see so many supply chain organisations involved in this competition. It demonstrates the richness and innovative nature of the UK’s aerospace capability. Engagement with the UK supply chain will be essential for improving our international competitiveness.”