Government backs low carbon aerospace with £45m of research projects

The research projects will be overseen by the Technology Strategy Board and include: * developing lighter fans that reduce fuel consumption * simulation technology for virtual engineering * new, affordable high temperature alloys to improve fuel efficiency Rolls-Royce is to partner with Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Loughborough, Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton; Surrey and Swansea universities. Speaking at a Rolls-Royce Advanced Manufacturing Exhibition, Lord Mandelson also welcomed Rolls-Royce's commitment to build a new aero-engine disc facility in Washington, Sunderland. "The knowledge, skills and high-end production the UK offers give us huge opportunities to benefit as global demand for low carbon products grows," he said. "These new projects will help our world class aerospace industry to meet that growing low carbon demand. Rolls-Royce represents some of the best of British advanced manufacturing. Its plans to site a new factory in the North East underline the company's commitment to British manufacturing excellence." Rolls Royce director of research and technology Ric Parker said the collaboration was a good example of government, industry and academia coming together to expand Britain's capabilities in high value added manufacturing. The disc facility is one of four new facilities Rolls-Royce is to build in the UK which will secure or create 800 jobs in innovative high-value manufacturing programmes over the long term.