Aerospace giant Airbus has confirmed a £14m investment in research and technology at its giant Filton plant to help to develop the aircraft of the future.
The funding was announced by Business Secretary Sajid Javid and Airbus president and chief executive officer Fabrice Bregier on a visit to the plant yesterday. Two projects will go forward under a joint industry and Government investment scheme.
One will look at the manufacturing processes for the next generation of advanced aircraft wings, aimed at speeding up production while also reducing weight and costs.
The second will focus on new aircraft fuel and inerting systems to reduce maintenance and improve environmental efficiency.
Both are supported by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and delivered by Innovate UK, which promotes research and development into new technology for the aircraft of the future.
Mr Javid said: “Our aerospace sector is a real success story. This highly productive industry provides highly skilled jobs and is a key part of our long-term economic growth. That’s why we are extending our commitment to aerospace R&D by a further £900m over the next 10 years. With industry’s commitment to match this funding, this will result in £3.9bn investment in aerospace R&D since 2013.”
Mr Brégier added: “I would like to thank the Government for recognising the importance of the sector.
“The UK is the world leader in wing and fuel system development for aircraft. This latest investment in new technologies will help secure this position for decades to come. I’m proud at the leading role Airbus is taking, which will ultimately transform the way we travel in the future.”
The two projects – funding for which was announced earlier this year – will be led by Airbus but involve a number of other industry collaborators and the research will be carried out at a number of locations across the UK.
Airbus employs around 4,000 people at Filton working primarily on wing design, landing gear and fuel systems.
Pictured: Business Secretary Sajid Javid, right, accompanied by Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier, centre, talking to graduates Nicholas Rogers and Oliver McCambridge
