Government announces £12m funding for lower carbon aerospace project
A new cutting-edge aerospace R&D project supporting highly-skilled jobs at Airbus Filton in the South West of the UK will benefit from £12 million in combined government and industry funding,…
A new cutting-edge aerospace R&D project supporting highly-skilled jobs at Airbus Filton in the South West of the UK will benefit from £12 million in combined government and industry funding, Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani has announced today (5 July).
The funding will be delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme and will be used to develop new aircraft wing technology, in particular for longer aircraft wings, to reduce CO2 emissions from flights and will upskill local employees and apprentices in a range of roles, including technicians and engineers.
Funding new technology
Longer wings make it easier for an aircraft to create lift without using as much fuel, helping to reduce CO2 emissions. The project will explore the technology for a folding mechanism for longer wings, so that they can be retracted, and aircraft do not take up more space at airports as a result.
Minister Ghani also opened a new state-of-the-art Wing Technology Development Centre at Airbus Filton, which will house the next generation of aircraft wing technologies and production capabilities.
Commitment to net zero
“Our world-class aerospace sector is helping us grow the economy and lead the way on greener air travel, and this new project at Airbus Filton will make sure the South West stays at the forefront of this innovation,” said Minister Ghani.
“We’re backing our aerospace sector to soar, and projects like these are helping drive forward our goal of net zero air travel by 2050 and securing high-wage, high-skill jobs across the country in the process.”
The ATI funding announced also forms part of a joint commitment with industry to invest in new aircraft and manufacturing technologies set to help secure at least £20 billion of further private investment in the UK aerospace sector and support over 100,000 jobs across the country.
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