UK to explore ‘clean' air travel
The UK government has announced its intent to back research into zero-emission flying, laser-beam manufacturing and cutting aircraft drag, to help boost the sustainability of the country's aerospace industry.
Britain said they would invest the sum total 250 million pounds ($340 million) in green air travel technology.
Britain said the funding for research and development projects led by Airbus, Rolls-Royce and a number of smaller companies and academic partnerships, would attract more private investment into the sector and add new jobs.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones is due to announce the new funding at the Paris Airshow, backing a number of projects which include the development of infrastructure for testing liquid hydrogen systems, fuel cell systems and developing lightweight materials. The funding announcement came ahead of the government's industrial strategy and which will aim to help grow the country's defence and advanced manufacturing sectors. Jones said supporting the major contractors was 'incredibly important', but the government also wanted to encourage more start-ups in the sector. 'Getting the supply chain of smaller businesses ready is the challenge, and that's what we want to build up in the UK,' she said in an interview.
Airbus UK chairman John Harrison said the funding gave the industry the confidence and stability needed to fuel innovation. 'It's initiatives like these that are absolutely critical to accelerating our decarbonisation journey and advancing sustainable, cutting-edge manufacturing,' he said.
Source: Reuters
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