The Future Flight Challenge

This challenge is delivered by UKRI and KTN. It is investing up to £125 million to develop greener ways to fly, such as all-electric aircraft and deliveries by drone, by advancing electric and autonomous flight technologies. The investment is matched by £175 million from industry.

The challenge aims to bring together technologies in electrification, aviation systems and autonomy to create new modes of air travel and capability. It will:

  • create the aviation system of the future
  • increase mobility, improve connectivity and reduce congestion for people across the UK
  • advance electric and autonomous flight technologies to help the UK reach its net zero target
  • drive technology investment to the UK by increasing UK manufacturing and service opportunities.

Future flight vision and roadmap

Socio-Economic Study – Jan 2021

Initial Aviation Safety Framework – July 2021

Opportunities

Future Flight will deliver a new revolution in aviation by bringing together technologies in electrification, digital and autonomy to create new modes of air travel and capability; enabling flying taxis, drones delivering goods and services, and small, all-electric aircraft – innovations that could address the mobility and congestion problems faced by increasingly urban, ageing populations, and reduce the carbon footprint of the global aviation system.

To deliver on the ambitions of Future Flight it will require collaboration amongst a diverse network of innovators, particularly those organisations who do not traditionally operate in the aviation sector. Future Flight needs digital innovators, business model experts, local authorities, asset owners architects, AI, regulatory experts and social scientists to list a few.

Link to the KTN Future Flight website

Link to the UKRI Future Flight website

Many of ARPAS-UK’s members are involved in the Future Flight Challenge, some in multiple projects. If you are thinking of taking part and need some advice on further collaboration, we are happy to help. Please contact Graham Brown, our CEO on graham.brown@arpas.uk