Regional Development Agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM) is giving £1.18 million to three West Midlands aerospace companies who are working together as part of a £103 million national aerospace programme.
Goodrich Actuation Systems in Wolverhampton, KUKA Robotics in Halesowen and GE Aviation in Wolverhampton are three of 18 UK industrial partners (led by Airbus) working on the three-year Next Generation of Composite Wing (NGCW) programme, a new collaborative research scheme to revolutionise aircraft wing development in the UK to develop lighter aircraft wings to reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
AWM has been integral in bringing the local firms together on this project.
Jim Coyle, Aerospace Cluster Manager at AWM, said: “In line with the West Midlands Economic Strategy, innovative projects are changing lives and boosting the economy across our region. Our commitment to the aerospace industry in the region and support for the three West Midlands companies involved in the NGCW programme shows we are working together to support innovation and produce a cleaner environment.
”Our long term vision is to establish an internationally recongnised, sustainable aerospace industry, creating wealth and opportunity for the whole Midlands region.”
Chris Whitley, Chief Technologist at GE Aviation, said: “GE Aviation is delighted to be working with Advantage West Midlands in developing new technologies to guarantee the future of manufacturing in the Midlands. The NGCW programme is a golden opportunity to achieve this aim and safeguard the aerospace industry in the region.”
Carl Maxwell, Technology Manager at Goodrich Actuation Systems in Wolverhampton, said: “Goodrich is very pleased to be part of the NGCW project. This is an exciting opportunity to create the new technology needed for the future high volume manufacture of composite wings.”
Gary Taylor, KUKA’s aerospace sales manager and NGCW programme manager, said: “KUKA is looking forward to developing and sharing its expertise in this substantial project, which will not only bring benefits for the aerospace industry, but will further secure and enhance Britain’s reputation as a centre of manufacturing excellence.”
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham has said: "Aerospace is a vibrant industry. Quite rightly there is pressure to develop new technologies so that new aircraft have a reduced impact on the environment. This project is an important part of meeting that ambition. Our investment is further proof of Government's commitment to help British business respond to those demands."
The NGCW programme will keep the UK at the cutting edge of innovation in aircraft wing development and will ensure the UK is competent and well-equipped to maximise the use of weight-saving composite materials in future wing design and development. The skills and capability to design and manufacture in composite materials is vital in the aerospace industry today.
The NGCW programme brings together the aerospace industry, regional development agencies and assembly government and forms part of the national Technology Strategy Board's (TSB) collaborative research and development programme. It will be funded by £25 million from the TSB, £26 million from nine regional development agencies and devolved administrations and £52 million from private industry.