Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is to invest up to GBP 10 million to develop aviation technologies and systems that support both civil and military use cases. These are specifically uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), hybrid electric Vertical Take off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs), hybrid electric Conventional Take off and Landing aircraft (eCTOLs), and other swarming, collaborative or autonomous aviation systems.
Innovate UK says the aim of the competition is to support development of, and reduce barriers to the adoption and commercialisation of, key dual use aviation technologies.
“We are seeking innovative projects that will build on current state of the art technologies and progress towards commercialisation and operational readiness,” Innovate UK said on launching the competition. “Your application should also consider the potential to manufacture at scale and specific end user and operational needs.”
This competition will also support cross government priorities, including the government’s objectives of achieving routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS operations from 2027, promoting public sector UAS adoption and achieving commercial piloted eVTOL operations from 2028.
To be successful, projects must progress the development, integration or operational readiness of aviation systems or capabilities, at technology readiness level (TRL) 5 or above at system level, in one or more of the following:
- systems or technologies developed for both civilian and military use
- systems or technologies developed for civilian use cases that are being adapted or integrated for military use
- systems or technologies developed for military use cases that are being adapted or integrated for civilian use
“The technology being developed must have a clear pathway to commercialisation in civil and defence markets through strong alignment with key government stakeholder priorities,” said Innovate UK. “Your project must include a UK customer or operator as a partner. You must clearly state in your scope answer which partner meets this requirement.”
Projects can include flight activities where this adds benefit to the project. These must be performable within existing regulatory approvals or approvals obtainable by a clear and supported route within the project timeline. Applicants are requested to demonstrate very clear understanding of how this will be achievable within the project duration.
This competition closes at 11am UK time on 3 June. Each project’s total eligible grant funding request must be between GBP 300,000 and 1.25 million.
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