University of Sheffield’s Advance Manufacturing Research Centre partners with aerospace giant BAE Systems

It is hoped the projects will enable BAE to reduce costs, improve efficiency and lower carbon emissions for aircrafts.

Nick Sharples, BAE Systems’ head of technology capability delivery – training and support, said the partnership between the AMRC and BAE Systems builds on a long-established relationship that has produced “transformational collaborations”.

He said: “We have worked with the AMRC on numerous projects, from small demonstrators to full facilities like Factory 2050 in Sheffield and our Factory of the Future in our BAE Systems site at Warton.

“That established trust gives us a strong basis. When we add to that track record, a mutual desire to explore the fast jet support domain, we have a real catalyst for collaborative work together.

“Working with our partners to trial new technologies and solutions for future fast jet support helps us explore new ways of delivering leading-edge capabilities and value for money for our customers, whilst reducing environmental impact.”

The pair will work together on BAE’s Future Air Support project, which was launched in November 2022 at Royal Air Force (RAF) Coningsby, home to the UK’s Typhoon fleet.

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has joined the project as a research partner to investigate how digital technologies - along with greener, sustainable solutions - can be used to elevate the RAF’s fleet of frontline aircraft.

Ben Morgan, AMRC’s research director, said: “The innovations from the project will significantly reduce costs and improve the availability of front-line Typhoon fighter jets. These technologies could be used to reduce fatigue and chance of injuries among support crews as well as improve the speed of maintenance on aircraft.

“Some of the programmes being trialled include: exoskeletons, autonomous co-bots, augmented reality headsets and sustainable operations.”