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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.

Europe's leading aerospace manufacturing nation, and second largest in the world after the USA, the UK sector employs around 115,000 people (plus 50,000 overseas) and has an annual turnover of around £20 billion.

Internationally recognised for its vast experience and advanced skills, the UK has a proud history of trade and co-operation across the world. Over 60 per cent of the UK's new aerospace orders is made up of exports.

With world-class capability in many areas, including aero engines, structural design and manufacture, wing technology and sub-systems and electronics, the UK can meet virtually every aerospace need. Indeed, the UK supply chain of around 7,000 companies plays a vital part in most major international aerospace programmes.

For example, UK-designed and manufactured aircraft engines are used by more than 600 airlines, while its wings are found on over 50 per cent of all large aircraft sold in the world.

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 £34 million programme on future wing designs and the £103 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. Today, over 1,000 UK firms are involved in manufacturing composites or precursors for advanced composite materials.

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.