Aerospace and Advanced Engineering

Largest Aerospace Cluster in the UK

The West of England has a highly sophisticated aerospace and advanced engineering sector, with substantial capabilities in advanced materials and manufacturing. The region is home to the UK's National Composites Centre (NCC), the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) and the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF). Along with major industrial players including Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Leonardo Group, Rolls-Royce and one of the UK’s most prominent Urban Air Mobility companies, Vertical Aerospace.

Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace are undertaking ground-breaking activities at their sites in the West of England to contribute to their global corporate sustainable aviation and zero emission ambitions. In particular, hydrogen aviation is now fast emerging as an industry priority, most noticeably with Airbus announcing its ZEROe hydrogen-powered concept aircraft family and the announcement of the £54.4m H2GEAR project, being led by GKN Aerospace with the aim of developing a hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft.

The West of England is also home to a growing Space sector with key players such as Thales Alenia Space basing themselves in the region.

In keeping with the area’s proud aerospace heritage, the region is home to Aerospace Bristol. The museum boasts a varied collection of exhibits, including Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the final Concorde to be built and the last to fly.

For further information please visit the Invest Bristol & Bath website 

About Invest Bristol & Bath

Invest Bristol & Bath is the inward Investment agency for the West of England Combined Authority. They support businesses who are seeking to enter the region to grow, innovate and collaborate. The experienced team are knowledgeable and well connected. Through a tailored account management service, they offer a range of free services including bespoke research and provision of regional economic information to support business planning, talent support in accessing and recruiting high quality staff and internationalisation support through invitations to join virtual and trade missions and links to the Department for International Trade.

For further information on Invest Bristol & Bath’s services visit their website or speak to a member of the team on Invest@bristolandbath.co.uk or +44 (0)117 428 6211