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Aerospace Technology Projects
Project summary
The South West of England is one of the most diverse and capable
aerospace regions in the world. The region is home to major
aerospace companies including: Airbus,
Rolls-Royce AgustaWestland, GKN Aerospace, GE Aviation
Systems, BAE Systems, Messier-Dowty, Cobham, Meggitt, Thales, Ultra
Electronics, Honeywell, MBDA, Moog, Boeing and Qinetiq amongst
others. The region’s proud aerospace tradition stretches back
over 100 years.
The South West RDA is involved in a range of technology
programmes and provides funding to support the continued presence
of the industry in the region.
Main messages
In the South West of England, significant levels of private and
public sector investment is ensuring that the industry remains at
the forefront of technology and innovation while simultaneously
meeting environmental challenges
As part of the UK’s National Aerospace Technology Strategy
(NATS), the region has invested in large R&D demonstrator
programmes such as Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE), ASTRAEA
(civil unmanned air systems) and Next Generation Composite Wing
(NGCW)
The world-class universities of Bristol, Bath, Exeter,
University of the West of England (UWE) and Plymouth provide
leading-edge R&D expertise as well as highly educated and
skilled workforce. Particular specialisms include composite
materials, aerodynamics, additive layer manufacturing, advanced
machining and systems engineering
Aerospace plays a key role in developing new, low carbon
technologies. The RDA’s aim is to encourage investment in these
technologies and provide the mechanism for this knowledge to be
shared within the industry and beyond.
Facts and figures
RDA investments in aerospace R&D projects since 2005
include
- Coral Reef, composite materials research programme: £3.3
million
- ASTRAEA, civil unmanned air vehicles (UAVs): £2.1 million
- 2005-2008 completed. ASTRAEA II due to
commence 2010.
- Rolls-Royce, Cobham, Thales
- IW (Integrated Wing): £2.8 million
- 2006-2008 completed. Feeds into NGCW.
- Airbus, Messier-Dowty, GE Aviation, Bath
& Exeter universities
- EFE (Environmentally Friendly Engine): £2.5 million
- 2006-2011
- Rolls-Royce
- NGCW (Next Generation Composite Wing): £8 million
- 2009-2012
- Airbus, GE Aviation, Bath & Bristol
universities
ASTRAEA
Case study
ASTRAEA I (Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne
Evaluation & Assessment) is a £32 million programme which forms
part of the National Aerospace Technology Strategy (NATS). The
programme has undertaken pioneering work researching the many
complex technologies needed to satisfy new unmanned air systems
(UAS) airspace regulations through a holistic and robust systems
approach and has been unique in directly addressing the key ASTRAEA
objective. The South West RDA has invested £2.1 million in regional
industry including Rolls-Royce, Cobham and Thales.
Some key achievements
- Cobham - a dedicated team of eight people was created for the
three-year period of ASTRAEA. Cobham sub-contracted c. 50% of its
ASTRAEA work, primarily to SMEs. Within the South West this equated
to >£600k.
- Thales - six posts were directly safeguarded during the
duration of the ASTRAEA project. Four companies directly benefited
from contracts placed on them. Businesses Assisted: eight engaged
in new knowledge base collaboration
- Rolls-Royce - To the end of 2008 Rolls-Royce reported that a
total of 89 jobs had been safeguarded as a result of ASTRAEA and
SWRDA funding. 279 people have gained additional skills as a result
of ASTRAEA.
Conclusion
“Our overall conclusions based on the findings from our public
and private sector stakeholder interviews, survey of SMEs and
universities and analysis of impacts, are that the: Current direct
net impacts generated by the Programme as a result of public sector
support (including that from central Government and the Development
Agencies) are 500 full time equivalent employees (FTEs) which
equates to approximately £12.7m of gva for the UK economy.”
Source: PriceWaterhouseCoopers, ASTRAEA Programme: Phase
One
Interim Evaluation, First Draft for Discussion. January 2009
IW (Integrated Wing)
Case study
Integrated Wing is a £34 million national collaborative
programme to develop key future technologies and processes
(Additive Layer Manufacturing and Rapid Material Disposition) are
ready for the next generation aircraft which will demand a five
fold increase in production rates. The South West RDA has invested
£2.8 million in the programme. Consortium members include Airbus,
Bath University, Messier-Dowty, GE Aviation, and Exeter University.
IW feeds directly into the NGCW programme.
Some key achievements
Outputs achieved to date: 464 jobs created/ safeguarded. 74
businesses assisted to improve their performance. 40 businesses
engaged in knowledge-based collaborations. 855 people assisted with
their skills development. 1,381 Sq m workspace created. Eight PhDs
supported at SW Regional Universities. 15 enquiries to use
Composites Structures Developments Centre (CSDC) facilities of
which eight have been completed. Eight enquiries resulted in active
support being provided by CSDC specialists.
Conclusion
“Through the funding provided by SWRDA, Airbus UK expertise has
been sustained and significantly enhanced to the point where Filton
is now a recognized centre of excellence in ALM.”
Source: Project No SWR00775 Year 3 Monitoring & Evaluation
Report April 2008-March 2009 by Airbus UK.
EFE (Environmentally Friendly Engine)
Case study
Environmentally Friendly Engine, is a £95 million industrial
collaboration, led by aero-engine maker Rolls-Royce, to design and
test technologies for more fuel efficient engines with reduced
noise, carbon and nitrogen emissions. The three year project will
run until 2010 and is part of the UK's five-year National Aerospace
Technology Strategy. Investment by the South West RDA amounts to
£2.5 million in Rolls-Royce to develop a new gas turbine test
facility on site at Filton.
Some key achievements
Outputs achieved to date: 63 Jobs created/ safeguarded. Eight
businesses assisted to improve their performance. 122 people
assisted in their skills development. 500 Sq m of workspace
created. £2.33m private sector investment.
Conclusion
The investment will:
- Improve the efficiency and environmental impact of the gas
turbine engine and goes some considerable way to meeting the goals
set by the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe
(ACARE)
- Provide essential funding to provision a state-of-the-art test
facility for this project and also to enable future large civil
engine demonstrators to be tested at Filton for the first time.
Currently, Filton is focused on defence and marine activities.
- Equip Bristol to complete with other locations with aspirations
to attract such high value–added work.
- Provide a platform for sustainable growth across the SW supply
chain industry and will support access to future global civil
engine markets.
Source: EFE Rolls-Royce M&E Plan V8 March 2007
NGCW (Next Generation Composite Wing)
Case study
NGCW is a £104 million national collaborative project of 16
companies including South West consortium members Airbus and GE
Aviation, to investigate and develop technologies for analysis,
design, simulation, manufacturing, assembly and system integration
related to advanced composite wing structures. It is aimed at
meeting the ever more stringent environmental and cost requirements
of regulators, and of airlines and their passengers. The South West
RDA invested £8 million over three years to acquire a range of
equipment which will strengthen the capability of the Composites
Structures Development Centre in Bristol. In the South West the
programme is led by Airbus with Bath and Bristol universities.
Some key achievements
Output Targets: 650 Jobs created/ safeguarded. 400 businesses
assisted to improve their performance. 65 businesses engaged in
knowledge based collaborations. £23.35m public and private sector
investment levered. 900 people assisted to improve their skills
development.
Conclusion
Airbus UK and its supply chain, including GKN, GE Aviation and
Messier-Dowty, will be well positioned to compete for work share on
the next generation of Airbus programmes. Success has the potential
to deliver significant growth for Airbus and the South West supply
chain as well as securing the UK and the region as the Airbus
Centre of Excellence for aircraft wing design and manufacture for
the future.
Airbus UK spends approx. £750m annually in the SW regional
supply chains. Should the technology be successfully developed it
is expected that this value will increase to over £1 billion.
Source: NGCW Airbus M&E Plan October 2009
Further information
Date case study written: January 2010
Themes: Strategic leadership and intelligence and Future growth
sectors
Contact: South West RDA press office by email news.enquiries@southwestrda.org.uk or
telephone 01392 229389