The U.K. government has announced government and industry funding worth over $339 million to support cutting-edge aerospace projects to advance green aviation. The funding package will accelerate development in gas turbine technology, hydrogen-powered flight, laser-based manufacturing for large aerostructures and other research areas.
“This investment will keep [U.K. aerospace] at the forefront of innovation, not only delivering economic growth but boosting the charge to net zero 2030, two key pillars of our Plan for Change,” said Industry Minister Sarah Jones, who made the announcement at the Paris Air Show.
The minister noted that the investment is expected to create high-skilled jobs. “This is the latest win for British aerospace in the run-up to the launch of our Industrial Strategy, which will turbocharge growth in our advanced manufacturing and defence sectors to take them to new heights,” she added.
The upcoming strategy, expected this June, builds on recommendations from the “Invest 2035” green paper published by the British Parliament last October. The consultation document includes proposals for sustainable economic growth, such as supporting high-growth sectors and establishing an industrial strategy council.
London’s new funding is part of the $1.3 billion allocated to the five-year Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, a public-private initiative that supports research and development to advance civil aerospace and sustainable aviation technologies. Among those receiving investments are projects and partnerships to improve the use of strong aluminum alloys in 3D printing to make lighter, more efficient aircraft parts, develop machines to test hydrogen aircraft materials, and reimagine processes that would reduce cost and improve maintenance.
The aerospace investment follows a $117 billion science and technology funding package unveiled in early June to stimulate the United Kingdom’s economic growth.