Sheffield AMRC calls for UK aerospace strategy
The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), UK, has published a policy paper calling for a coordinated five-year national strategy to strengthen the UK’s position in the global aerospace sector.
Released at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, the paper – ‘Flying high: Driving innovation, resilience and growth of UK aerospace’ – argues that the UK has a significant opportunity to secure future aircraft production programmes by investing in advanced manufacturing technologies, supply chains and workforce development.
According to the paper, the UK aerospace sector accounts for around 10% of the global market, contributes £14.3 billion annually to the UK economy and supports more than 100,000 jobs. It states that increasing demand for commercial aircraft, together with the development of next-generation, lower-carbon aircraft platforms, presents a strategic opportunity for UK manufacturers.
Authored by Ben Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, and Andrew Silcox, Chief Technology Officer, at the University of Sheffield AMRC, the paper recommends three priority actions:
- maintaining long-term support for industrial research and development through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI)
- providing targeted investment incentives to help aerospace suppliers adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and digital capabilities
- aligning national skills programmes with the requirements of next-generation manufacturing
The publication highlights expected demand for approximately 65,000 new aircraft by 2050, noting that Airbus and Boeing are expected to introduce new aircraft families, while Rolls-Royce has outlined ambitions to re-enter the narrowbody aircraft market. The paper argues that UK suppliers will need to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies and processes to compete for future programmes.
Ben Morgan said the paper was intended as a call to action for government and industry. “The coming years will be decisive for the country’s manufacturing footprint,” he stated. “The critical pinch point right now is our Tier 1 supply chain – companies that hold the key to delivering future aerospace platforms but often lack visibility of rapid technical advances or the deep resources needed to invest in them.”
Morgan added that the recommendations focus on supporting innovation through the ATI, strengthening the supply chain and developing the skills needed for future aerospace manufacturing.
The paper also highlights the AMRC’s work with aerospace manufacturers, including Airbus, Boeing and Rolls-Royce, as examples of collaborative programmes intended to support manufacturing innovation and investment across the UK.
Richard Coates, Head of Government Relations at the Aerospace Technology Institute, said the paper demonstrates the role that research and development organisations can play in supporting the growth of the UK aerospace sector.
Katherine Bennett CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, also welcomed the publication, stating that coordinated action between industry and government will be important to help UK manufacturers compete for future aircraft programmes.
The full policy paper is available here.
