Innovation UK > News > Innovation UK Vol5-1 > Enabling collaboration throughout the nation

The Aerospace & Defence Knowledge Transfer Network is a dynamic hub lending support to the UK?s ambition of developing innovative technologies for use in leadingedge aerospace products. We connect the individual strands of the academic, industrial and government communities to provide a platform upon which innovative and inclusive collaborations can be built.

The UK aerospace and defence sector is the second largest in the global market, with annual revenue amounting to £19.84bn in 2007*. It is an attractive market in which technological innovation attracts investment and trade.

A SECTOR-WIDE STRATEGY

The Aerospace and Defence KTN is the custodian of the National Aerospace Technology Strategy (NATS) and works with government, industry, regional and academic representatives to drive it forward. The KTN?s voice is neutral, and so is able to impartially implement the challenges, areas for success, critical research themes and technology validation outlined by the strategy.

TECHNOLOGY ROADMAPPING

The National Aerospace Technology Strategy is underpinned by technology roadmaps that link global challenges, from improving the environmental impact of aviation, to detailed research requirements. The NATS Technology Roadmaps visualise the many relationships that exist between the various interconnected programmes that make up the UK aerospace innovation process and supply chain. The maps show that research conducted at the science base is ultimately connected to industrial Aerospace Technology Validation Programmes, and that everything is strategically necessitated by global market drivers and products.

This implementation of the NATS enables UK aerospace to clearly articulate to all of its stakeholders across the sector the areas of technology and investment focus needed to ensure the UK retains its ranking as the world?s second-largest aerospace economy in an increasingly globalised and competitive market. NATS provides the framework to translate science through to innovative technologies and processes, from the research base through to market.Since 2004, NATS has attracted combined industrygovernment investment of £464m across more than 80 projects and programmes that are already validating technologies that will lead to greater efficiency, safety and service in the next generation of aircraft.

Current examples under way are the Airbus UK-led NGCW (Next Generation Composite Wing), the Rolls Royce-led EFE (Environmentally Friendly Engine), AgustaWestland?s REACT (Rotor Embedded Actuation Technology), and the ASTRAEA (Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment) programme, which is being implemented by a crossindustry consortium.

OPERATIONS

The Aerospace and Defence KTN identifies Knowledge Transfer activities to further the creation of collaborative partnerships with effective funding to deliver programmes of technology research and development that are in alignment with the NATS.

To do this, we have fashioned ourselves as the revolving door to the sector: if you walk in, we?ll spin you around and back out in the right direction! With our unique access to all areas of the sector, we are able to deliberate the right direction for you via the following:

• Aerospace and Defence KTN-led or sponsored events. The KTN has already sponsored and participated in many regional events throughout the UK, and has several more scheduled. Events such as Aerolink Wales, NDI Defence Procurement and the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium Annual Conference allow us access to the SMEs who would benefit the most from our services.
• One-to-one sessions held at these events with specialist consultants in order to greater arm members, companies and individuals with knowledge on the best way to attract funds. We work closely with Gill Richards, the National Contact Point for Framework 7 funding, to enable our members to gain the best possible knowledge insight into the world of 7th Framework funding.
• Evolving patterns of work with other Technology Strategy Board KTNs, such as working with the Intelligent Transport Systems KTN to discover crosssector synergies, technology gaps and opportunities for exploitation.
  Regular webinar conferences hosted by area specialists on a range of topics including European funding, Research Council funding, National Technical Committees and more.
• A fortnightly newsletter promoting key strategies, updates and events across the sector, as well as opportunities to meet and engage with the KTN.
• A live and evolving website hosting technology news and information on events, NATS, roadmaps and NTCs. The website also provides collaborative working spaces for members, allowing them to use public/private user areas in which they can upload/ download documents and information.

The Aerospace and Defence KTN ? Who we are:

• Dr Ruth Mallors,Director
• Daniel Jones,Project Co-Ordinator
• Bettina Knauer, Infrastructure Manager
• Sameer Savani, Operations Manager
• Peter Murray, Researcher

Contact us at e-mail: or website: www.aeroktn.co.uk

The National Technical Committees

The 11 National Technical Committees (NTCs) provide detailed advice regarding the Research and Development programmes. NTCs are points of contact of insight, acting as advisory groups to the other interested communities, the government and other sectors. They relate to key technology themes that will be the foundation for future technology research and development.

NTCs currently operate for the following specialist areas:

• Advanced Design & Manufacturing
• Electrical Power Systems
• Electronics Systems
• Environmental Technologies
• Fluid Dynamics
• Health Management & Prognostics
• Human Factors
• Materials & Structures
• Simulation & Synthetic Environments
• Sustainable Air Transport Services
• Systems Engineering & Open Architecture.

In 2009, the KTN aims to facilitate an Autonomous Systems NTC to further broaden the scope of technologies being captured by the NATS and the National Technical Committees. The KTN understands that inclusivity is the key to unlocking innovation throughout the nation, and understanding the critical technology themes throughout the sector.

If you would like to contribute to one or more of the NTCs,
contact Sameer Savani at: E-mail: