The £300m Future Flight Challenge has been launched by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, committing Government support to UK Aerospace industry development of new technology.

Announced as part of the Aerospace Sector Deal agreed between Government and industry in December 2018, the Future Flight Challenge receives £125 million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and industry investment of up to £175 million.

The Challenge will support the development of advanced new aerospace technologies such as electric propulsion systems that will reduce the environmental impact of flying, and major new innovations in urban air transport.

ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt, said “The Future Flight challenge will help UK industry to maximise the opportunity of developing and manufacturing the cleaner, quieter and more technologically advanced aircraft of tomorrow. “Our innovative aerospace industry is set to fast-track the electrification of flight, explore the global potential of new urban mobility solutions and pioneer autonomous aviation.

This new era of technological progress in aviation will help to both tackle global environmental challenges and create new industrial opportunities that can bring prosperity to communities across the UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said: “From our shopping choices to planning our holidays, we rightly want to make decisions that protect the planet.

“This £300 million investment will help speed up the development of greener flights, and new ways of delivering the goods we order online.

The UK is already recognised around the world as a centre for green tech. Now we will lengthen our lead, supporting our industry and our citizens to reduce their carbon footprint.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, added: “The possibilities for new ways to transport goods and services – or to get from A to B – are endless.

“This investment will help make the most of the exceptional talent and expertise we have in these industries, and ensure the U.K. leads the way internationally in designing and developing technology, from electric taxis to drones delivering parcels.”

The Global Urban Air Summit in Farnborough on 3 and 4 September will bring industry together with regulators and others to discuss some of these new technologies. The first Future Flight Challenge competition, to create compelling concept studies will open on 30 September 2019.