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research and development - part 2

figure 17 UK aerospace R&D undertaken in the UK and overseas

- In the last few years there has been increasing interest in the levels of R&D in aerospace being undertaken outside the UK by UK companies, SBAC data indicates there is a long term increase from £0.14bn in 1996 to £0.45bn in 2005. However as the data below shows it does jump significantly from year to year.

figure 17 (17.5 KB)

figure 18 Technology and ?first product application? life cycle

- R&D is a very long term investment. firms are still benefiting directly from investment in generic technology made in the late 1950s and 1960s (eg wing aerodynamics and fundamental engine technology which fed into the complete range of Airbus and RB211/Trent engine families). The timescale between research and implementation of new products can be as much as 20 years.

figure 19 aeronautic research programme funding

- The R&D process involves a number of public and private agencies, companies, national research organisations and academia. It also requires sophisticated, complex and expensive research infrastructure such as wind tunnels and test facilities.

- Government support for aerospace research from all sources including the Regions is brigaded through the DTI Technology programme following implementation of the Innovation Review. This is expected to result in an increasing trend of government support for aerospace research in future years.

figure 19 (19.5 KB)

• back to annual survey 2006 main page
• a message from the SBAC President
• sustainable aviation
• revenue - part 1
• revenue - part 2
• revenue - part 3
• orders
• financial
• research and development - part 1
• employment - part 1
• employment - part 2
• SMEs - part 1
• SMEs - part 2
• international trade
• global trends
• aerospace cross holdings
• regional
• notes and clarification