MEMBER NEWS ADS membership reaches record 2,000 organisations
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, a figure that reflects both the scale of the industries it represents and the growing importance of aerospace, defence, security and space to the UK economy. More than 400 organisations joined the association during 2025, taking membership to a record level. More than 90% of ADS members
are SMEs, underlining the extent to which innovation, specialist expertise and advanced manufacturing capability are rooted in smaller businesses across the supply chain. From start-ups and scale-ups to major
of ADS members are small and medium-sized enterprises
>90%
primes, the membership represents every part of the industrial ecosystem. The growth comes during a
period of renewed activity across all four sectors. Defence spending is rising, aerospace has returned to growth, security challenges are increasing in complexity, and the UK space sector continues to expand its
international reach. Against that backdrop, businesses are placing greater value on industry representation, market intelligence, networking and advocacy. ADS has also maintained a
member retention rate of 90%, while member satisfaction scores have continued to improve. Reaching 2,000 members
is more than a round number. It reflects the depth of the UK industrial base and reinforces ADS' position as the voice of companies operating across some of the country's most strategically important sectors.
Dowty powers future flight aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by around 20% compared with today's engines. For Dowty, the programme draws on almost a century of British propeller engineering and places UK technology at the heart of one of aerospace's most closely watched sustainability projects.
UK propeller specialist Dowty is set to play a key role in the next generation of aircraft propulsion after being selected to support CFM's Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) programme.
Based in Gloucester and owned by
GE Aerospace, Dowty will contribute its expertise in advanced composite variable-pitch propellers to the programme's Open Fan demonstrator. Designed to deliver a step change in fuel efficiency, the Open Fan concept
Tackling the Spice epidemic
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UK forensic technology specialist foster+freeman has launched a handheld device to help prisons and law enforcement combat synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice. Developed using technology created at the University of Bath and manufactured in the West Midlands, ContraSCAN can instantly detect drugs concealed within letters, documents and fabrics without damaging evidence. The device addresses a challenge for prisons, where drug-soaked materials are increasingly used to bypass traditional security measures. Unlike laboratory testing, ContraSCAN provides immediate results in operational settings, allowing staff to identify threats quickly and take action. The technology is now being prepared for export to international markets.
42 Advance | Autumn 2026
Photo credit: GE Aerospace
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