A new £35 million Aerospace Integration Research Centre (AIRC) is to be built at Cranfield University with co-investment partners Airbus and Rolls-Royce, following the award of funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

The Aerospace Integration Research Centre will provide dedicated space and specialist equipment to address future grand challenges which face the aerospace sector. Responding to the Witty report of 2013, which recommended closer collaboration between leading researchers, industrial supply chain partners and key economic players to enhance economic growth, and in collaboration with a wide range of established industrial and academic partners, the Centre will expand upon the regional aerospace hub of research and technology programmes, carried out by higher education partners and global businesses, all with established aerospace expertise.

Dame Deidre Hutton said: “As Pro-Chancellor of Cranfield University I am delighted that the University, together with Rolls-Royce and Airbus, has been successful in securing funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England to establish the Aerospace Integration Research Centre (AIRC).