The UK government invests £4.4 million in innovative aviation projects, including drones, unmanned aircraft, and zero-emission technologies, supporting aerospace growth and jobs
The UK government is investing £4.4 million in next-generation aviation technology projects to drive innovation and strengthen the aerospace sector. The funding will support pioneering businesses developing drones, crewless aircraft, and zero-emission technologies, helping to create high-quality jobs, advance sustainable aviation, and maintain the UK’s leadership in cutting-edge aerospace innovation.
Accelerating the future of drones and uncrewed aircraft systems
The funding forms part of the government’s Future Flight Programme, designed to secure the UK’s position as a global leader in aviation, drones, and unmanned aircraft systems.
The technologies have the potential to transform industries, from healthcare to energy, and will become increasingly important in helping to deliver goods, including vital medical supplies. For instance, drones could be used to deliver medical supplies to remote areas, reducing delivery times and potentially saving lives.
The funding will not only support the growth of the aerospace sector but also lead to the creation of a significant number of highly skilled jobs across the UK. This boost to regional economies is a testament to the positive impact of the Plan for Change.
Aviation Minister, Keir Mather, said: “We’re backing the next generation of British aviation businesses whose transformative technologies will reshape how we live and work in the years to come.
Investing in emerging technologies, such as drones and unmanned aircraft, is key to building a greener and more efficient transportation system. But this isn’t just good news for the environment – this tech will also save our public sector and businesses valuable time and cash, while helping to boost skills and support high-quality jobs across the country.”
The UK commits to aerospace innovation
The UK government is positioning itself as a leader in aerospace innovation, following a commitment to invest a record £14.9 billion in research and development, thereby strengthening industries such as life sciences, green energy, and engineering, and supporting careers that will grow the UK’s research ecosystem.
Successful projects include:
- Beyond Restoration – a project transforming land restoration efforts across multiple UK sites by using long-range, heavy-lift drones to deliver environmental materials to remote and ecologically sensitive areas
- The London Health Bridge Project – the UK’s leading medical drone delivery service, which will use the funding to significantly scale up its operations, aiming to increase from 1,000 to 50,000 medical sample deliveries per month
- The Regional Offshore Cargo Drone Demonstrator – a pioneering Scottish project that will pilot the UK’s first heavy-lift drone logistics service tailored to support offshore wind farms
Simon Masters, Deputy Challenge Director for Future Flight at Innovate UK, said: “Innovate UK is proud to continue supporting the UK’s future flight ecosystem, accelerating the route to commercial operations and delivering real-world impact.
These ambitious new projects highlight the strength of the sector and its diverse applications, from reducing emissions, advancing healthcare delivery and protecting our environment.
By focusing on regional adoption, we aim to drive faster, more impactful growth and societal benefits for communities across the UK.”
The government has committed £2.3 billion in funding over the next 10 years to the Aerospace Technology Institute programme, which supports the sector in manufacturing newer, more efficient, electric aircraft.
