The latest group of aviation tech projects to be backed by the state-funded Future Flight Programme has been revealed.
Innovate UK will deliver an investment of £4.4m across the 14 projects, which will aim to develop commercially viable and scalable use cases for drone and aviation technology.
Among the funded projects are the ‘Dragon’s Heart’ medical drone delivery network, a traffic management system for air taxis and a fleet of drones used to apply lime, native seed mixes, fertiliser and tree seeds across ecologically significant sites.
“Innovate UK is proud to continue supporting the UK’s future flight ecosystem, accelerating the route to commercial operations and delivering real-world impact,” said Future Flight deputy director Simon Masters.
“These ambitious new projects highlight the strength of the sector and its diverse applications, from reducing emissions, advancing healthcare delivery and protecting our environment.”
The Future Flight Programme is a scheme backed by the UK government and industry partners to develop infrastructure, technology and a regulatory framework for aviation technology.
We’re backing the next generation of British aviation businesses whose transformative technologies will reshape how we live and work in the years to come,” commented Aviation Minister Keir Mather.
“Investing in emerging technologies like drones and unmanned aircraft is key to build a greener and more efficient transport system.
“But this isn’t just good news for the environment, this tech will also save our public sector and businesses valuable time and cash whilst helping boost skills and support high quality jobs across the country.”