NATS implementation report
How the National Aerospace Technology Strategy moves from policy into funded programmes, and what the full report sets out for industry, research and public partners.
What the report covers
The National Aerospace Technology Strategy, known as NATS, sets out how the UK aerospace sector can build capability in the technologies that will shape future aircraft, propulsion and air traffic systems. This implementation report records how those aims are being turned into programmes, partnerships and measurable milestones.
Read it as a working document. It explains what has been delivered, where delivery is still under way, and which gaps the strategy is designed to close.
- Progress against each strategic technology priority
- How programmes are selected, funded and reviewed
- Routes for industry, universities and smaller suppliers to take part
- Dependencies on skills, infrastructure and certification
How implementation is staged
Define priorities
Strategic technology priorities are agreed with government, industry and research bodies, and the evidence base for each one is set out.
Fund and launch programmes
Competitive calls award funding to consortia that combine large manufacturers, specialist suppliers and academic groups.
Demonstrate and test
Prototype technologies are tested in laboratories and flight-representative environments before they are considered for wider adoption.
Transfer into use
Validated results are passed to manufacturers, operators and regulators so that they can be built into products and services.
Reading the evidence
Each section of the report links a claim to the test data, programme record or review that supports it, so readers can check the basis for every conclusion.
Programme examples
Questions about the report
It is written for companies that supply the aerospace sector, research organisations, funders and anyone who needs to understand how the strategy is being carried out.
No. The strategy sets the direction. This report describes progress against that direction and should be read alongside it.
The full report is available as a 2.8 MB download from this page. It can be saved and read offline.
Download the full report
The complete implementation report is 2.8 MB. Download it to read the programme-level detail, the evidence tables and the review findings in full.
For background on the strategy, return to the NATS home page. News and commentary on the subject are collected on the blog.