This advanced capability secures UK leadership in next generation wing technology and other critical structures to support future aircraft platforms through the High Rate Manufacture Capital Acquisition Project.
Strategic Funding to Accelerate Composite Manufacturing Innovation
NCC’s £15.8m High Rate Manufacture Capital Acquisition Project (HRMCap) is awarded by the Department for Business and Trade, Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), and Innovate UK. The investment will enhance NCC’s beyond state-of-the-art, open access technologies with a suite of 12 customer-ready capabilities to de-risk and accelerate innovation in high-rate large composite structure manufacturing.
Government Support Drives Aerospace Growth and Net Zero Ambitions
Industry Minister Sarah Jones emphasized the government’s commitment: “This investment will keep it at the forefront of innovation, delivering economic growth and boosting the charge to net zero 2030, two key pillars of our Plan for Change.”
Strengthening the UK’s Position as a Composite Technology Leader
Jacqueline Castle, CTO of the Aerospace Technology Institute, stated: “The investment strengthens the UK as a world-leading hub for composite aerospace technologies, pushing boundaries to increase production rates and product performance.”
Innovate UK Backs Scaling of Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
Mike Biddle from Innovate UK highlighted the importance of world-class facilities to secure and grow UK manufacturing content on the next generation of aircraft, including ultra-high-rate wing manufacture and advanced air mobility structures.
Cementing the UK’s Role in Net Zero Aerospace Manufacturing
Katherine Bennett CBE, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, noted the investment as a vote of confidence in UK innovation, enabling industry partners to scale up and create high-value jobs.
NCC’s Leadership in Wing Technology Underpinned by HRMCap
Richard Oldfield, NCC CEO, reflected on their critical role in the UK aerospace cluster: “HRMCap reinforces our leadership in wing technology, underpinning UK competitiveness for large composite structures and the global narrowbody aircraft opportunity.”
Meeting the Demand for Ultra-High-Rate Production
Traditional aerospace carbon fibre technologies produce 8-13 articles per month, but upcoming aircraft require rates of 60+ articles monthly. NCC’s High Rate Manufacture Capital Acquisition Project addresses this with novel Ultra High Rate Deposition capabilities and supporting processes.
Multi-Sector Impact and Industry Collaboration
Beyond aerospace, HRMCap’s technologies will impact wind energy, defence, and other sectors. NCC works with a UK Industry Advisory group to ensure the new capabilities meet industry needs and are ready for use.
Open Access Innovation Supporting Industrial R&D
NCC’s open access high-rate manufacture technologies are available to manufacturers, primes, and supply chain companies to support industrial R&D.
