Military jet developer Aeralis has secured a £9m contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) which the firm has said will allow it to create and sustain 250 jobs.
The deal will see the Bristol-based manufacturing start-up, which is currently developing a modular aircraft design for the Royal Air Force (RAF), providing the MoD with digital engineering support services.
The firm, which is looking to deliver the first fully British-crewed military jet since the 1970s, said it would assist the government’s national defence department on key combat programmes, using a system it has developed for faster production of light aircraft at reduced cost.
Aeralis said the “landmark” contract was an important step in the company’s growth, and recognition its work was “essential” for the future of affordable military aircraft design and development in the UK.
Founder and chief executive Tristan Crawford said: “We are incredibly proud to be able to announce this agreement. This MoD contract is another exciting step towards rejuvenating the UK’s sovereign ability to develop whole aircraft ready for the future.”
Richard Berthon, director of the MoD’s Future Combat Air programme, said: “I am delighted that the Future Combat Air System will benefit from the transformational digital engineering services of Aeralis.
“The learning that we will get from Aeralis will support digital engineering across our FCAS enterprise; providing us with the information we need to be able make informed decisions on this programme as it progresses.”
Aeralis said its work at its enterprise hub at Aztec West Business Park in Almondsbury already supports 135 jobs across 16 organisations. The site was officially opened earlier this year.
Read next:
- Defence firm Babcock maintains 'good progress' with Covid turnaround
- Airbus, RAF and Rolls-Royce complete landmark sustainable fuel flight
- Cyber security firm Immersive Labs announces MoD partnership
- Royal Navy support ships to be built at Devon’s Appledore shipyard
Like this story? Why not sign up to get the latest South West business news straight to your inbox.
