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World-class in Aerospace

The UK's aerospace sector is at the heart of the country's manufacturing base and is a national showcase for its wide-ranging technical, managerial and process capabilities.

Aerospace is one of the UK's highest value adding manufacturing sectors, with between 2,500 and 3,000 supply aerospace companies in the UK. It directly employs around 101,000 and supports 230,000 jobs across the economy. On the other hand UK aerospace companies have a significant overseas presence, employing about 52,000 people and generating revenues of £11bn in 2008. The UK is home to Europe's largest aerospace industry and the second largest, after the USA, in the world.

Internationally recognised for its vast experience and advanced skills, the UK has a proud history of trade and co-operation across the world.

The UK is one of only a small number of countries (ie US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy) involved in the design, manufacture and marketing of the full range of aircraft products - from composite aero-structures, aero-engines, aircraft systems and avionics, helicopters through to maintenance, repair & overhaul services. In aerospace the total UK turnover for maintenance, repair and overhaul totalled £6.13bn in 2006.

UK-designed and manufactured aircraft engines are used by more than 600 airlines (including nine of the world's top ten) and currently has about 30% of the civil engine market. UK manufactured wings are found on over 50 per cent of all large aircraft sold in the world. The UK designs, manufacturers and assembles wings for the whole commercial family of Airbus aircraft.

In 2008, the aerospace sector generated turnover of £20.57 billion (a 17% share of the market) and new orders of £35.04 billion. The UK offers one of the world’s most innovative and productive locations with R&D investment of around £1.8 billion in 2008.

The aerospace sector is one of the UK’s largest exporting industries, with exports accounting for 69% (£14 billion) of the sector’s total sales in 2008, reinforcing the global nature of the aerospace market.

Priority markets, with the strongest opportunities for UK aerospace include:

* China
* India
* Russia

The UK is home to the large-scale world class aircraft primes - Airbus & Bombardier and the 2nd largest aeroengine company in Rolls Royce and it has has around 25% content on the Boeing 787 and 50% of the Airbus A380 when powered by Rolls-Royce engines.

The UK offers one of the world’s most innovative and productive locations with an R&D investment of £1.83 billion in 2008. The UK is running a £95m research project into more environmentally friendly aero engines and a £100m research programme on Next Generation Composite Wings.

The industry has delivered a 50% improvement in fuel efficiency in the last 30 years and a 75% reduction in noise nuisance. Through the introduction of quieter planes the noise contour area around Heathrow has shrunk – reducing the population exposed to significant disturbance by 85% between 1974 and 2000.

Space

The UK Space sector has come together to create an Innovation and Growth Strategy that sets out an ambitious 20 year strategy to capture 10% (£40 billion) of the global market by 2030 and in doing so create 100,000 UK jobs.

The UK space industry is one of the UK's most dynamic, hi-tech, value added sectors. It supports up to 70,000 jobs throughout the UK and contributes nearly £7bn to the economy.

The UK Space manufacturing, service and support companies have consistently grown year-on-year for the over the last decade and we have a world lead in small satellites.

Innovation

The UK maintains its lead through constant productivity improvements and technological advancement. The current £95 million research project into more environmentally friendly aero engines is one example, as is the £100 million Next Generation Composites Wing programme. Significantly, the UK sector has delivered a 50 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency in the last 30 years, and a 75 per cent reduction in noise nuisance.

High fliers

UK companies are leaders in every niche of the aerospace sector, including:

Aircraft systems

The UK has world-class expertise in all areas, from avionics to airframes and components of all types. As a result, UK companies have a significant presence in both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. They also play a key role in military aircraft programmes.

Aero power

The UK aerospace sector is at the cutting edge of aero power, from the largest, complete new-generation engines to the smallest precision components, and from project definition to support and maintenance. Led by Rolls-Royce, UK aero power is second only to the USA.

Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)

UK companies working in aviation MRO have a 17 per cent share of the world MRO market. The past five years have seen a rise of around 15 per cent in the number of UK MRO companies.

Military aerospace

The UK is one of the largest players in the world defence-aerospace market. It's one of few countries with the capability to conceive, design, construct and prime contract the most complex products. The leading edge technology that marks out the UK's defence-aerospace sector make its companies sought out by a wide range of overseas programmes.

Composites

Some of the world's most technologically sophisticated composites manufacturers are found in the UK. About 14,000 UK employees (2008) are involved in carbon fibre composites for the aerospace sector.

Wing assembly

Since the 1970s, the UK has been the centre of excellence of wing production for the Airbus consortium. The UK capabilities are unique in Europe, and found at only a handful of other facilities in the world.

Space

The UK's growing and innovative space industry offers a wide array of skills in the commercial, scientific and military sectors. Expertise includes manufacturing satellites, scientific instruments, battery technologies, software and data analysis.

Space is now one of the highest value-adding sectors in the UK, supporting up to 70,000 jobs and contributing nearly £7 billion to the economy.