NATS - National Aerospace Technology Strategy
The National Aerospace Technology Strategy (NATS) is the result of an important partnership between industry, Government and academia to address UK competitiveness in aerospace technology.
Finding the NATS documents
The NATS research themes and programmes, and the implementation report, set out in detail what the strategy covers and how the work is progressing. They are the primary reference for anyone following the programmes.
The AeIGT, ATVPs and AINs, and governance pages give further context on who takes part and how decisions are made. Use the links below to move between the main documents.
ATVPs and AINs
The strategy identified 6 Aerospace Technology Validation Programmes (ATVPs) and 13 Aerospace Innovation Networks (AINs) to meet its objectives.
A summary of the technology themes identified a aerospace strengths and research programmes being undertaken to further develop these themes is described here:
NATS - National Aerospace Technology Strategy
The objective of the strategy is to ensure that the technology generated by the UK science base flows through to industry and is embedded in the supply chain for commercial exploitation. The strategy addresses specific challenges relating to the environment, safety, security and national defence.
The UK has the world's largest aerospace industry outside the USA. It is one of the country's few globally competitive manufacturing sectors, supporting more than 276,000 jobs with a turnover of around £22bn per year.
NATS governance structure
The Aerospace Technology Steering Group (ATSG) meets monthly to oversee the implementation of the NATS programmes. This group is supported by its Programme Co-ordination , Commercial , Defence, Europe and Enviornment Task Forces and representation from the NACs.
Key facts about UK aerospace
The figures below set out why the strategy matters to the wider economy. They are taken directly from the strategy's own description of the sector.
Each point helps explain the focus of NATS on competitiveness, supply chain strength and the transfer of research into commercial use.
- The UK has the world's largest aerospace industry outside the USA.
- It is one of the country's few globally competitive manufacturing sectors.
- The sector supports more than 276,000 jobs.
- Turnover is around £22bn per year.
- The strategy covers 6 Aerospace Technology Validation Programmes and 13 Aerospace Innovation Networks.
Environment, safety, security and national defence
NATS addresses specific challenges relating to the environment, safety, security and national defence. These are the areas where the UK needs aerospace technology to perform to a higher standard, and where research investment can make the greatest difference.
The Defence and Environment Task Forces within the governance structure give these challenges a dedicated focus, so that progress on one theme is considered alongside the demands of the others.
How the strategy moves from research to industry
NATS works as a sequence of linked steps. Research generated by the UK science base is directed towards the technology themes that industry has identified as strengths, so that results can be carried through into products and services rather than remaining in laboratories.
Each step builds on the one before it. The programmes are overseen centrally, and the working groups report back on progress so that the partners can see where a theme is ready to move forward and where more development is needed.
Step 1
Identify the technology themes
Strengths in UK aerospace are identified and grouped into themes that matter for competitiveness.
Step 2
Validate the technology
Aerospace Technology Validation Programmes test promising technology in realistic conditions.
Step 3
Build networks across the supply chain
Aerospace Innovation Networks bring industry and academia together so that results reach suppliers.
From the science base to the supply chain
The main objective of NATS is to make sure that technology developed in the UK science base reaches industry. Universities and research centres produce ideas, but those ideas only create value once suppliers can build them into aircraft, engines and systems.
The strategy therefore treats the supply chain as part of the process, not an afterthought. Embedding technology in suppliers is what allows commercial exploitation to follow.
The Aerospace Innovation & Growth Team - AeIGT
The AeIGT was launched to ensure the UK aerospace industry maintained its global strength and developed world class technologies. The AeIGT is a partnership between UK Government, industry and academia, with the vision that by 2022:
"The UK will offer a global aerospace industry, the world's most innovative and productive location, leading to sustainable growth for all its stakeholders."