Universities come together to strengthen the UK’s aerospace sector

A national consortium of leading aerospace universities has come together to provide the global aerospace community with a centralised point of engagement to the UK’s top university aerospace research capabilities. In this article, PIF outlines how the consortium will work and what it will do for the UK’s aerospace industry.

How will it work?

Embracing the full aviation spectrum (airlines, aircraft, airspace and airports), the National Aerospace Research Consortium (NARC), will enhance the UK’s already leading position within the sector and provide a clear means of communication with equivalent national organisations and multi-national initiatives.

NARC will align itself with the Aerospace Technology Institute's established four technology pillars (Aircraft of the Future; Future Propulsion; Smart, Connected and Electric Aircraft of the Future; and Aero Structures of the Future) with an additional National Airborne Test stream.

Dr Simon Weeks, Chief Technology Officer of the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), said:

"At the ATI, we welcome a strong and coordinated university research base that is able to support the aerospace sector and further develop the UK's international reputation for high quality research. The NARC initiative, led by a number of the UK's leading aerospace universities, represents a significant step forward in creating a national entity that can coordinate and promote the excellent work undertaken by our leading academic teams."

What does the consortium aim to achieve?

The Consortium aims to create a UK-wide infrastructure of accessible, integrated and world- class research facilities to support each pillar. The universities that currently make up NARC have already started work on the Future Propulsion pillar with a collaborative proposal for a network of advanced electric and hybrid-electric propulsion development facilities.

NARC will also seek to enhance the flow of highly qualified aerospace engineers of the future through closer integration of graduate and postgraduate learning provision.

Through the combination of networked national facilities, integrated learning of the highest quality and a central point of access, NARC is aiming to make a significant contribution to the UK’s presence within the aerospace sector.

To find out more about the national consortium visit NARC website today!