38 AEROSPACEMANUFACTURING | jANUARy 2010
final approach i
Now more than ever
As Government seeks to redress
the economic balance, market led
technology strategies will ensure the
success of industrial sectors, says
Sameer Savani, operations manager,
Aerospace and Defence KTN.
Sameer Savani: operations manager, Aerospace and Defence KTN
W
hile all sectors are being encouraged to innovate their sector approach. This will be the direction of foreseeable
way back to growth, the UK National Aerospace travel as Government seeks to redress the balance of the
Technology Strategy (NATS) as the collaborative, economy across multiple sectors. Low Carbon Industry,
industry-driven, Government-endorsed strategy is now more Skills for Growth, New Industry – New Jobs and Advanced
pertinent than ever since its conception in 2003. Manufacturing are at the heart of Government strategy, and
As custodian of NATS, the A&D KTN is the portal for UK aerospace R&D continues to benefit and contribute in this
stakeholders to engage. My role connects organisations, people policy environment – NATS continues to deliver. I would
and content to enable delivery of NATS. This was exemplified argue that UK aerospace remains in pole position to seize
recently by the KTN’s contribution to AeroEngineering 09 opportunities to fortify its globally competitive position.
in Manchester; through a combination of keynote address, The value of aerospace to Government’s industrial strategy is
introduction to NATS and detailed technology insight by six evident from recent investments in R&T programmes such as
of the twelve National Technical Committees (NTCs) enabled SAMULET under the Advanced Manufacturing agenda; and
by the KTN, we demonstrated the integration between the SILOET programme is being assessed to be supported
the innovation climate, Governmental industrial policy and under the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. Along with the
aerospace technology development. Repayable Launch Investments for civil aerospace projects
NATS’ strength lies in pooling UK capability to seize global within the New Industry – New Jobs programme, these
opportunities. As these global trends evolve, NATS allows represent a solid commitment by Government to partner with
them to be captured, mapped and influence the pull-through of industry, to realise the vision of the UK being a global centre
technology in a robust and communicable framework. I work
with industry and Government to coordinate the collation of
“There has never been a more
this content, and to create roadmaps that personify NATS.
This means drawing input from a range of sources, most
important time for the UK aerospace
notably from the twelve NTCs.
These NTCs articulate the sector’s R&T priorities in topics
community to collaborate.”
such as materials & structures and fluid dynamics. While
these areas continue to bring forward priorities, we have seen of excellence in aerospace offering the most innovative and
increasing commitment and interest in other areas, such as productive supply chain to the global market.
air traffic management and electronic systems. We recently NATS is undergoing a refresh to ensure the sector is able
established an NTC for autonomous systems, which has to face the future challenges and opportunities. This process
attracted over 40 organisations to participate, demonstrating will be a top-down regeneration including a new global market
the UK’s appetite in this area. Far from being mere strategy picture to delineate the opportunities for UK aerospace. This
bodies, NTCs are breeding grounds for partnerships and will identify the product requirements the UK has the capability
launch pads for collaborative R&D. For example, the recently to fulfil, which in turn will identify the research and technology
launched WiTNESSS project funded by the Technology development programmes needed to realise these products. This
Strategy Board was developed within the Health Management process is an opportunity for all innovators in the aerospace
and Prognostics NTC, while the SAMULET programme supply chain to benefit from future programmes launched under
emerged from the Advanced Design & Manufacturing NTC. the umbrella of NATS. There has never been a more important
The evolution of Government industrial policy has time for the UK aerospace community to collaborate. ❙
shifted the sector-specific approach to R&D to a cross- www.aeroktn.co.uk
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