Over £4 million Government backing for next-gen aviation technology projects
|
Projects developing innovative technology including drones and
unmanned aircraft awarded Government funding to boost UK aviation
sector. £4.4 million investment will drive growth of tech
start-ups, support hundreds of jobs, and deliver on the
Government's Plan for Change. Funding forms part of wider
Government action to champion cutting-edge aviation research and
development across the UK. Over £4 million funding has been awarded
to pioneering British businesses...Request free trial
Over £4 million funding has been awarded to pioneering British businesses developing next-generation aviation technology, with winners announced today (29th September 2025). Invested as part of the government's Future Flight Programme, delivered by Innovate UK, the funding is designed to secure the UK's global leadership in the future of aviation, and the fast-growing field of drones and unmanned aircraft systems. The technologies have the potential to transform industries from healthcare to energy and will become increasingly important to help deliver goods – including vital medical supplies – more quickly and efficiently, whilst cutting costs for the public sector and businesses. The sectors are also supporting increased numbers of highly-skilled jobs across the UK, boosting regional economies and delivering the Plan for Change. Projects working on next-generation zero-emission aircraft, and the development of vertical take-off and landing technology will also receive funding. 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 like drones and unmanned aircraft is key to build a greener and more efficient transport 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, whilst helping to boost skills and support high quality jobs across the country.” The announcement is the latest move by the Government to build on the UK's position as a leader in aerospace innovation, and follows a commitment to invest a record £14.9 billion in research and development, strengthening industries including life sciences, green energy, and engineering, and supporting careers that will grow the UK's research ecosystem. Among the successful projects are:
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 is committed to accelerating airspace modernisation across the sector to unlock growth, including by backing the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel including through the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill which will boost green fuel production in the UK and help deliver cleaner flights. The government has committed £2.3bn in funding over the next 10 years to the Aerospace Technology Institute programme, which helps the sector to manufacture newer, more efficient, electric aircraft. ENDS Notes to editors Please find additional quotes below: Andy Sproson, Chief Operating Officer at AutoSpray Systems, lead partners on the ‘Beyond Restoration' project, said: "We are excited to be part of the Future Flight Fund, working at the cutting edge of drone innovation. Our ‘Beyond Restoration' project will apply that innovation to vital conservation schemes: restoring our precious landscapes with efficiency and at scale. "This project is a chance to deliver a scalable, commercially-viable solution. By pioneering large-scale Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, we are not only redefining how conservation can be achieved, but also building the skilled workforce needed for a new industry. We are confident in the transformative potential of wider BVLOS operations in the UK - for agriculture, conservation, and beyond." Louisa Smith, Chief Aviation Officer at Apian, lead partners on the ‘London Health Bridge Project', said: "This funding will enable Apian and our partners to develop multiple simultaneous operations (MSO) across our NHS network in London. MSO is a vital step closer to scaled, low-cost drone delivery operations in the UK, that will support NHS productivity and resilience while reducing emissions. “We're grateful to UKRI for backing this work and excited to be working with them and the Civil Aviation Authority on the UK's first MSO drone delivery operation." +++ The full list of projects receiving funding is as below, further information on these can be provided on request: Advanced Logistics BVLOS UAV Mission (ALBUM) Partners: ARC Aerosystems, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership, Acroflight, Scubatx ALIAS II: Regulatory Policy Concepts Enabling ITM (Integrated Traffic Management) Partners: Volant Autonomy, Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, Planefinder, Draken Europe, DroneCloud Beyond Restoration Partners: Autospray Systems, National Trust, Woodland Trust, North Pennines National Landscape, Skypointe Containment with Confidence Partners: Flare Bright, RPAS Heroes, National Gas Transmission, Satellite Applications Catapult "Dragon's Heart": A Welsh Medical Drone Delivery Network (MDDN) Partners: Snowdonia Aerospace, Volant Autonomy, Skyports Deliveries, SLiNK-TECH Drone as a First Responder Partners: Idroneinnovations, SLiNK-TECH, Leading Edge Power, Thames Valley Police, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary London Health Bridge Growth Partners: Apian, Matternet UK Scaling BVLOS Operations for Critical National Infrastructure (Project SOCNI) Partners: DroneCloud, NATS, Network Rail, Transport for Wales, Railscape, British Transport Police Future Air – Southwest Partners: Daedal Research, Somerset Council, Isles of Scilly Skybus OXCAM AAM Corridor Partners: Skyports Infrastructure, Bristow Helicopters, NATS, Vertical Aerospace Group, Oxfordshire County Council Regional Offshore Cargo Drone Demonstrator Partners: Flowcopter, AYR Logistics, Angus Council Project RESCUE Partners: Somerset Council, Limosaero, Land and Minerals Consulting SATE: Highlands & Islands Regional Pathway to Sustainable Aviation: Partners: Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership, University of the Highlands and Islands, Urban Foresight, European Marine Energy Centre, Windracers, Skyports Deliveries, Hybrid Air Vehicles, Streamline Shipping Agencies, Cormorant SEAplanes, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, Loganair, Regional & Business Airports Group and Shetland Islands Council Project URBAN ASCENT Partners: Coventry City Council, Skyfarer, Coventry University, SLiNK-TECH, Manufacturing Technology Centre, Altitude Angel, Odys Aviation |