Thanks to funding provided by Cornwall Development Company, Windracers Ltd ran a trial of their twin engine, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), named ULTRA from 13^th to 15^th November at St Merryn Airfield in North Cornwall.

Windracers is a non-profit organisation that provides transport services to the humanitarian aid, research and environmental protection communities using UAV’s.

The AeroSpace R&D programme at Cornwall Development Company, funded by the ERDF, supported Windracers’ £168,000 upgrade of the ULTRA UAV and flight trials at St Merryn Airfield with a £78,000 grant. During the project, Windracers engaged with Isles of Scilly Council, 700X Naval Squadron from RNAS Culdrose, the CAA and the Cornwall Airport Newquay air traffic control team.

Following a CAA exemption to fly at St Merryn airfield, Windracers ran numerous demonstration flights, to confirm the operational and autonomous performance upgrades of their ULTRA aircraft.

The testing trials in Cornwall enabled Windracers to be ready to undertake an important mission for the NHS in the Covid19 crisis. On 12^th May, the ULTRA UAV flew autonomously from Lee-on-Solent and landed safely on the Isle of Wight in just 18 minutes, delivering urgent medical supplies for St Mary’s hospital.  Able to carry payloads of up to 100 kilograms for up to 1000km means the Windracers’ ULTRA aircraft is likely to be used for further missions such as this.

Operated and monitored from a secure and mobile ground station, Windracers objective is to operate in Africa from dirt landing strips to deliver food and other urgent aid to communities that struggle to get supplies by road.

Charles Scales, CEO of Windracers, said “Windracers is very excited to continue partnering with Cornwall on our R&D project, which will open up major opportunities for us in the region.”

The partnership between Windracers and Cornwall Development Company has been a big step forward for Cornwall’s UAV programme and lays a foundation for other businesses to follow.  The support on offer to Windracers and is still ongoing, with both sides looking forward to running trials to the Isles of Scilly.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly supports disruptive technology and is building its research, development and innovation capability to accelerate projects which have the potential to solve global challenges.

If you’re looking for support for an R&D project, or business expansion, get in touch with the R&D AeroSpace Cornwall Programme at Cornwall Development Company.

For further information about Windracers please contact

James.fairbairn@cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk

www.aerospacecornwall.co.uk

www.windracers.org

Spaceport Cornwall, the UK’s horizontal satellite launch site, and Canadian based aerospace and space company Space Engine Systems, has signed a MoU to identify opportunities for future collaboration.

Spaceport Cornwall the UK’s first horizontal launch site will offer from 2021 rapid, low cost, resilient and safe access to space and multi-fuel propulsion test facilities for launch vehicle developers, and will be Europe’s Gateway to Space. Spaceport Cornwall will be the only place in the world where, satellite launch and scheduled passenger airline services are fully integrated at one location. As a well-located operational airport (4 flights/day to London Heathrow and daily services to Manchester) it offers a capable spaceflight capability with directly access to a Launch environment, for air launch system operations and rapid global transit R&D.

Space Engine Systems (SES) is a Canadian aerospace company that is pioneering the next generation of propulsion technologies for aerospace and space. Their ultimate goal is the design of a reusable, single-stage-to-orbit cruise vehicle that is capable of flight up to hypersonic speeds for use in aerospace and space applications. To achieve these targets, SES is developing a light, reusable, multi-fuel propulsion system. Space Engine Systems will fully test DASS GNX engine for space, DASS GN1 for aerospace and defence applications at hypersonic speeds.  Our focus has always been the lowest cost to space at around $ 2,240 US per kilogram. The lowest cost in the world in the space industry. We think we can even do better. We are striving very hard to have our engines ready for the Lunar Mission by 2023.

Space Engine Systems will also test its engines for launch in existing modified high Mach vehicle bodies available in the UK and USA to expedite the validation process for launch. Keep it Simple and never to Reinvent the wheel has always been our policy.

The collaboration will include sharing resources, operational knowledge, all for mutual commercial benefit and deliver competitive affordable global Spaceport operations.  Areas of joint working may include; propulsion testing, educational outreach, funding bids, sector cluster growth, operations, new operational regulation, mission and range management, tourism economy, industrial participation and trade and investment.

Pradeep Dass, President & CTO Space Engine Systems, said “Space Engine Systems is very excited in setting up this R&D partnership potentially opening up major opportunities in the UK and Europe through Spaceport Cornwall. UK’s renowned universities and engineering talent pool will be of great benefit. Space Engine Systems is presently exploring similar opportunities in the USA too.’

Miles Carden, Director of Spaceport Cornwall, said ‘Spaceport Cornwall has a fantastic market advantage as one of the first mover spaceports in Europe, and we are now interested in developing partnership opportunities to deliver repeatable, cost effective, sustainable launch from the UK. This is one of the first signs that the Council’s investment in a Spaceport will be rewarded and be a catalyst for investment and trade. The team at Space Engine Systems are pioneering exciting new technology and we look forward to exploring the opportunity to collaborate more closely.’

This partnership is a first step towards Space Engine Systems potentially establishing a permanent R&D and manufacturing facility in Cornwall, and future launch operations. The facility would be the companies first outside North America.

Spaceport Cornwall was recently awarded £20 million of funding from Cornwall Council and the UK Space Agency with further investment from Virgin Orbit, Goonhilly Earth Station and C&IoS LEP. The Spaceport team in Cornwall Council is now seeking further commercial partnerships to develop the UK launch market.

ENDS

For further information or press enquiries please contact ross.hulbert@spaceportcornwall.com

www.spaceportcornwall.com

Independent sub-contractors, Logan Electronics, have been awarded the ADS SC21 Bronze Performance Standard for Supply Chain Excellence within the aerospace manufacturing sector.

Awarded by ADS, the Trade Organisation for Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space, the SC21 programme is endorsed by major UK Aerospace and Defence companies and is primarily designed to accelerate the competitiveness of the Aerospace and Defence industry by raising the performance of its supply chains.

Logan Electronics has received over 90 hours of direct support from AeroSpace Cornwall to achieve this significant milestone by working with their consultants to maximise workshop capacity and increase margins. As a result, Logan have improved their business processes, attained ISO quality accreditation and are working with key aerospace customers.  Logan are in the process of relocating to larger premises in Scorrier, due to business expansion.

To finish off what’s been a great year for Logan; they were invited to attend the UK’s most prominent manufacturing and supply chain event, Advanced Engineering at Birmingham’s NEC to receive their SC21 award.

Logan Electronics follow in the footsteps of manufacturing business RAM Gaskets, who worked with AeroSpace Cornwall consultants last year to achieve their SC21 bronze award. Other aerospace manufacturers in the region have also kick started their involvement in the SC21 programme with support from AeroSpace Cornwall.

Peter Munro-Lott FRAeS of AeroSpace Cornwall added, “Thanks to the funding and support we offer at AeroSpace Cornwall, innovative manufacturing companies are helping to fuel growth in Cornwall”.

Looking to accelerate your competitiveness in the Aerospace industry? Find out more about the ADS SC21 programme and how your business can qualify for support from an AeroSpace Cornwall consultant:  contact James on 01209 614492.

The AeroSpace Cornwall programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the AeroSpace Cornwall programme.

On Thursday night, 31st October, the winners of the prestigious Cornwall Manufacturers Group (CMG) awards were announced, celebrating the very best and brightest of manufacturing talent in Cornwall.

Excelling business leaders, exporters, apprentices, community projects and innovations were celebrated at a special ceremony hosted by Richard Rumbelow, Director of International Affairs and Exports for Make UK (the Manufacturers Organisation), and attended by over 160 of the counties business leaders and manufacturing pioneers.

Eric Nicholls, chairman of the CMG says: “These awards are an opportunity for Cornwall’s thriving manufacturing companies to showcase the dynamic and progressive sector. Manufacturing accounts for 10% of Cornwall’s GVA, in a sector that sees the South West deliver £14.3bn to the UK economy. The importance and value of manufacturing cannot be underestimated and tonight’s event shines the spotlight on the county’s £732m manufacturing industry, recognising and rewarding the talent our county is fortunate to have.”

This year’s competition saw an exceptional quality and number of entrants with judges interviewing and visiting candidates over several days to truly get ‘under the skin’ of the organisations.

There were three finalists in each of the award categories, with some of the businesses supported by AeroSpace Cornwall.  The winners as follows:

• Manufacturer of the Year – Composite Integration
• Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Emily Brown, DP Engineering
• Environmental/Community Project – St Austell Print Company
• Innovation/Improvement project of the Year – Unmanned Survey Solutions
• Exporter of the Year – Teagle
• Business Leadership award – Dr David Hodgson, PV3 Technologies
• Outstanding Contribution to Manufacturing – Ken Martin

Jon Hurrell, CEO of the CMG concludes: “Securing Richard as a speaker for our awards ceremony, having him share his knowledge and direct dealings with Government on Brexit, highlights the increasingly national and international role Cornwall’s manufacturers play. This is absolute recognition by global business leaders of the important role of manufacturing to Cornwall’s economy and we were delighted and honoured to have his support.”

The awards, headlined by Make UK, were sponsored by SWMAS, Acceleration Through Innovation, The Skills Hub, Beacon Project, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Bishop Fleming and Lloyds Bank.

AeroSpace Cornwall has awarded an R&D grant to three businesses in Cornwall, fostering a collaboration that enables them to develop UAV components for Prismatic Ltd, and increase their capability in the aerospace industry.

Composites business, Piran Advanced Composites, design business, Acadmy Ltd and CNC machining business, Digital Fabrications Ltd, are partnering to develop a high performance carbon composite design for Prismatic Ltd.

Based in Hampshire, Prismatic Ltd develop novel space and aerospace systems, including solar powered High Altitude UAVs.  The three businesses in Cornwall are using their grant funding to provide the 5 and 8.75 metre wing sections for two of their UAVs, namely the LASA-5 and the PHASE-8 aircraft.

This joined up approach from the businesses in Cornwall enables them to maximise their product offering to Prismatic Ltd. The process starts with designers from Acadmy Ltd who use Computer Assisted Design (CAD) to design wings for the LASA-5 and the PHASE-8 aircraft.  CNC fabricators, Digital Fabrication, take the designs and cut precise patterns for  the wings.  The process ends with Piran Advanced Composites, who build the moulds and airframes, ready to be integrated into the UAVs by Prismatic and ready for flight trials.

Peter Munro Lott from AeroSpace Cornwall states that the funding offered by the programme is vital for businesses as it enables businesses to collaborate and develop a complete product.  This ‘join the dots’ approach is helping businesses connect and grow in the aerospace and space sectors – enabling them to work with other leading businesses nationally.’

Support is still available for innovative businesses that could contribute to further growth of the Cornish aerospace and space economy. Contact AeroSpace Cornwall for more information on support and funding.

A leader in electrochemical materials, PV3 Technologies, are the latest in a line of businesses that have received financial support for an innovation project from AeroSpace Cornwall.

With a grant of £45k, PV3 Technologies are using the support offered to develop advanced coatings for use in lightweight fuel cells of the type used in long range UAV’s.  The Project ‘Fly’ will focus on innovations that will increase the range of fuel cell-powered UAVs, and the manufacturing technology required to deliver the innovation at large scale.

PV3 Technologies’ CEO, Dr David Hodgson said “This project supports product and manufacturing innovations within our business and will facilitate an entry point into the aerospace sector, something new for PV3 Technologies.”

The project will be led by PV3 Technologies’ COO, Dr Nick van Dijk. Nick said “We have an amazing team in PV3 Technologies that are eager to grasp new challenges such as this. We will leverage our core skills, capabilities and know-how to move into a new industry sector.”

Head of Innovation at AeroSpace Cornwall, Gail Eastaugh, ‘We are delighted to be able to support such an innovative company as they move into the energy sector, demonstrating Cornwall’s innovation capabilities.  This technology will radically enhance energy creation in the unmanned aerial vehicle market and should create highly skilled jobs in the future.’

The news about project funding follows on from a successful track record in securing innovation funding for hydrogen, manufacturing and battery projects. PV3 Technologies has recently invested in new laboratory facilities that will be a critical part of this project.

To find out more about Launceston based business, PV3 Technologies go to https://pv3technologies.com/