The Materials & Structures National Technical Committee (M&S NTC) today launches two Air Vehicle Materials Technology Reviews, examining the sector areas of Civil Aircraft for Leisure, Business and Freight; and Rotorcraft. Both reviews present in great detail the UK industry-wide view of the current state of materials technologies within the UK in these areas.

In order for the UK to thrive in the markets of tomorrow, an aligned strategic approach is critical. By using a collaborative and coordinated approach to create these technology reviews, the M&S NTC has demonstrated the UK's capability strengths, and matched them against the critical performance demands that will be expected of the aerospace products of the future.

With this in mind, the review is aimed at UK businesses and academics undertaking R&D activity in materials technology areas. It will help them understand the current and future opportunities available to them for working with leading UK businesses on significant materials R&D programmes. Future iterations of the review will rely on value-adding contributions from the wider supply chain, and are welcomed by the committee.

Mike Hicks, Chairman of the M&S NTC and Head of Materials Engineering at Rolls-Royce plc, said:

"This review is one of 9 produced and upgraded progressively by the NTC. I hope that it provides useful information for each of our stakeholders and, most importantly, that it clearly identifies the critical future capabilities required to maintain the UK's competitive position."

The UK Air Vehicle Materials Technology Reviews on Civil Aircraft and Rotorcraft are the third and fourth in a series of nine technology reviews, and follow the recently published reviews on Combat Aircraft for Strike, Air Defence, Surveillance and Training; and Propulsion. Reviews five and six, examining Unmanned Aircraft and Future Concepts, will be published in late 2011 / early 2012.