Innovation UK > News > Innovation UK Vol5-2 > Enabling collaboration throughout the nation

The UK aerospace and defence sector is the second largest within the global market, with total annual revenue amounting to £19.84bn in 20071. It is an attractive market in which technological innovation attracts both investment and trade.

The Aerospace & Defence Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is a dynamic hub lending support to the UK?s ambition of developing innovative technologies for use in leading-edge 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.

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 forwards. The KTN?s voice is neutral, and so is is able to impartially implement the challenges, potential areas for success, critical research themes and technology validation outlined by the strategy.

Technology roadmapping

The NATS is underpinned by technology roadmaps which 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.

Why this is important

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 which are already validating technologies that will lead to greater efficiency, safety and service in the next generation of aircraft. Current examples are the Airbus UK-led NGCW (Next Generation Composite Wing), the Rolls-Royce-led EFE (Environmentally Friendly Engine), AgustaWestland-led REACT (Rotor Embedded Actuation Technology), and the ASTRAEA (Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment) programme, which is being implemented by a cross-industry 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 aim to create more connections, with less noise by acting as a 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 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. In recent months the Aerospace & Defence KTN has led a Simulation Showcase where UK government departments presented their needs from simulation capability, the next phase will be to enable industry to brief Government on possible solutions. In October 2009 the KTN is delivering the first-ever National Aerospace Technology Strategy Conference including presentations from NATS programmes and updates on emerging research themes.
• 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.
• 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.
• Monthly topic features on areas of interest across the sector.
• 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 & Defence KTN is currently working with academia and industry to investigate possible needs for a UK Aerospace Research Institute as well as engaging a broad range of stakeholders regarding varying aspects of sustainable aviation.

To learn more, connect to NTCs or register
specific requests, e-mail the KTN team directly
or contact:
E-mail:
Website: www.aeroktn.co.uk

Space Special Interest Group

The Aerospace & Defence KTN is now host to the Space Special Interest Group, a pan-KTN interest group seeking to create a unified business voice into the recently launched UK Space Innovation and Growth Team (IGT) Project. The purpose of the Space IGT is to involve the entire UK space community in setting out the challenges and opportunities that will govern its future value, competitiveness and hence growth. This will inform a 20-year strategy for the future of the British space industry that will see Britain become a leader in the world space landscape, as well as contributing revenue, jobs and value to the UK economy.

For more information on the Space
Special Interest Group contact:
Ruth Mallors, Director ? A&D KTN
E-mail:
Mel Witherow, Space SIG Coordinator
E-mail:

The Aerospace and Defence KTN ? who we are

Ruth Mallors, Director -
Sameer Savani, Operations Manager -
Daniel Jones, Co-ordinator -
Peter Murray, Researcher -
Bettina Rigg, Infrastructure -

The National Technical Comites

Providing detailed advice with regards to the R&D programmes are the 12 National Technical Committees (NTCs). 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 & development. NTCs currently operate for the following specialist areas:

• Advanced Design & Manufacturing
• Autonomous Systems
• 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.

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, e-mail Sameer Savani at: