NGCW Programme

A consortium of 19 UK aerospace partners is developing and validating the technologies for the next generation of Airbus single-aisle aircraft, at a total programme cost of £105 million over three years. This matters because single-aisle aircraft are the workhorses of global aviation, and the next generation must be significantly more fuel-efficient, quieter, and cheaper to operate than current models. The programme addresses the gap between existing aircraft design and the technologies needed to meet future environmental and economic targets. Without coordinated, large-scale development, the UK supply chain risks falling behind international competitors. If the NGCW Programme succeeds, it will produce validated manufacturing processes, materials, and systems that can be directly integrated into new aircraft. This could lower airline operating costs, reduce per-passenger carbon emissions, and secure high-value aerospace jobs across the UK. The consortium partners are funding 50% of the costs (£52.5 million), with the remainder coming from government sources—£26.8 million from the Technology Strategy Board and £25.7 million from Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Assemblies. A separate South East Aerospace Cluster of four companies is seeking an additional £2.6 million from SEEDA.