Industry Minister Alan Mak will celebrate a multibillion-pound funding milestone for cutting-edge green technology in the UK aerospace sector today.
The Minister will join UK aerospace industry leaders at an event to mark the ten-year anniversary of the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), a joint government and industry-funded organisation that drives world-class research in sustainable, zero-emission aircraft and green technology.
He will join Airbus, Rolls-Royce and a range of other leaders to celebrate the success of the ATI in making the UK a world leader in cleaner and greener air travel, with £3.6bn of government and industry funding being allocated to more than 400 different aerospace R&D projects across the breadth of the UK over the past decade.
This funding has helped deliver the long-term change our country needs to deliver a brighter future for Britain and improve economic security and opportunity for everyone.
Pioneering new green technology projects
These projects are advancing new green technology, which will help develop a new generation of zero-emission aircraft, supporting thousands of high-skilled jobs in the aerospace sector.
Industry Minister Alan Mak said: “Our world-class aerospace sector is a British success story, with government and industry coming together to provide billions of pounds in unprecedented support to help us lead the way on cleaner, greener air travel.
“Over the last decade, the ATI has been crucial to this, helping our aerospace industry soar to new heights and supporting thousands of jobs while continuing to grow our economy.”
Over a decade ago, the government and industry, through the Aerospace Growth Partnership, created the ATI, responding to calls for the UK to develop its own R&D programme.
This has secured long-term planning and funding sources through the ATI Programme, with new funding for transformative green technology projects in air transport.
Furthering the aviation research agenda through developing cleaner, greener air travel is a principal aim of the ATI.
Successes include:
- Over 400 cutting-edge R&D projects funded since the start of the ATI Programme
- The Rolls-Royce UltraFan demonstrator aero engine technology ground demonstrator – the largest in the world, with greater fuel efficiency, lower emissions and greater sustainability
- The Airbus-led Wing of Tomorrow programme – the next generation of carbon composite aircraft wings
- Rolls-Royce seized the world-speed record for electric aircraft with its battery-powered Spirit of Innovation aircraft
- SMEs such as ZeroAvia and Cranfield Aerospace developing new-generation zero-emission aircraft and propulsion systems
- Investment in research facilities from the Osney lab in Oxford to the new Whittle Lab in Cambridge and the National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology in Loughborough
The importance of sustainable aviation in the aerospace sector
Aerospace funding is a key priority for the Government, with £200m of joint government and industry funding dedicated to R&D projects announced in the recent Spring Budget, supporting the development of energy-efficient and zero-carbon aircraft technology.
This came after the Government announced £975m in funding over five years from 2025 for the ATI programme in the 2023 Autumn Statement.
Industry leaders and experts from across the sector have reacted to the ATI’s key milestone.
Russ Dunn, Chief Technology Officer at GKN Aerospace, said: “The Aerospace Technology Institute is the crown jewel of the UK’s aerospace ecosystem.
“It represents the best collaboration between Industry and Government and continues to demonstrate the UK’s ability to create the most innovative and impactful aerospace technology.”
“The UK’s world-leading aerospace sector provides high-skilled jobs throughout the country and is renowned for excellence in innovation, technology and sustainable development,” added Kevin Craven, Chief Executive Officer of ADS.
“Set against a backdrop of increasing global competition, the Aerospace Technology Institute has been pivotal in attracting industry co-investment, and driving continued UK leadership in innovation, making it a true partner for our industry for the last decade.”
