APPENDIX 1
Memorandum by the Aerospace Technology
Steering Group (ATSG)
1. INTRODUCTION
The Committee has requested written evidence
on the progress towards the implementation of the recommendations
of the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team (AeIGT). This submission
addresses progress to date in respect of the AeIGT recommendations
on Technology Strategy.
2. PROGRESS TOWARDS
THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF
THE DTI SPONSORED
AEIGT ON
TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY
The report of the AeIGT, published in July 2003,
recommended the establishment of a National Aerospace Technology
Strategy (NATS) as a partnership between Industry, Government
and Academia. This recommendation was based on the following:
— The success of the UK Aerospace Industry
depends on the ability to deploy world class technology which
requires long term investment in research.
— Aerospace is a safety critical and
highly regulated industry. New technology therefore requires a
lengthy phase of focused research and validation before it can
be applied in aerospace. The strength of the UK Industry today
stems from a history of research and validation programmes promoted
by Government in close collaboration with Industry aimed at bridging
the gap between pure science and industrial exploitation.
— UK Government investment in this
vital area has fallen over the years (despite the increased support
for pure scientific research) and is now well behind the level
of competitive nations.
— The major aerospace companies in
the UK have a global footprint. While prepared to invest heavily
in technology acquisition they will tend to do so where conditions
are most favourable and, in particular, where they can work in
close partnership with Government funded research and validation.
Product development and production inevitably follow research
and technology.
These points were also identified in Industry
evidence to the Select Committee in January 2001 and hJuly 2003.
3. NATIONAL AEROSPACE
TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY
The NATS envisages that investment should be
concentrated on the major research themes and related technology
validation programmes critical to the UK industry. The AeIGT established
that this requires industry investment to be matched by an increase
in Government civil expenditure and an increase in the proportion
of MOD research funding spent with industry. The themes and validation
programmes broadly address environmental targets (the NATS has
adopted the EU ACARE targets for reduced emissions), defence (in
accordance with Defence Industrial Policy), and product competitiveness.
4. NATS IMPLEMENTATION
Following acceptance of the AeIGT recommendations,
implementation commenced in September 2003 under the leadership
of the ATSG, representing Industry, Government and Academia. A
comprehensive National Aerospace Technology Strategy Implementation
Report was published in July 2004 and is attached as a supplement
to this submission.
Intensive work has continued on developing specific
research and technical programmes in detail and in assessing regional
impact. Work has also continued in conjunction with the National
Defence Industries Council Research and Technology Sub Group on
harmonising the NATS with MOD Technology Strategy.
5. FUNDING THE
NATS
In the past the DTI has funded aerospace research
and technology demonstration through the Civil Aircraft Research
and Technology Demonstration Programme (CARAD). Following the
December 2003 Innovation Review, CARAD is due to terminate. In
consequence the NATS will have to compete for funding on a non-sectoral
basis, and is already doing so. It is already clear that the innovation
funding available to the DTI is inadequate to support the NATS
on the basis originally envisaged and that the public share of
funding for the NATS will have to come from Regional Development
Agencies (RDAs), Devolved Administrations and Research Councils
as well as the traditional DTI and MOD Sources.
The challenge that this represents has been
recognised, and in February 2004 the Prime Minister assigned the
task of co-ordinating public funding for the NATS to the Minister
for Science and Innovation who convened a National Aerospace Strategy
Group for that purpose. Specific issues being addressed are.
— The ability and willingness of RDAs
to participate in funding the NATS—this requires amendment
to the existing Tasking Framework which does not provide for investment
in research.
— The relationship with the Research
Councils.
6. CURRENT STATUS
The principle of a National Aerospace Technology
Strategy has been accepted as vital to the continued success of
the UK Aerospace Industry. It is now essential that real progress
should be made in launching major elements of the Strategy in
Spring 2005.
This will require:
— The UK Aerospace Industry to commit
funding and resource as defined in the Implementation Report.
— Central Government to demonstrate
its ability to deliver a long term national strategy which has
to be, in large part, implemented and funded regionally.
W K Maciver
Chairman, Aerospace Technology Steering Group
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