The Aerospace Technology

This RAeS Named Lecture was established in 1990 to honour Sir Thomas Sopwith CBE, Hon FRAeS. International acquisition activity in the pharmaceutical sector has recently heightened concern over investment in UK research and development and the implications for the nation’s science base. The aerospace sector is a major export revenue earner and similarly has deep roots both in research and in advanced manufacturing, facets that are vital in the re-balancing of the UK economy.Much has been achieved through the creation of a number of ‘growth partnerships’ between industry and Government. However, what is the sustainability of this approach in the aerospace and defence sectors and what are the long-term implications for the creation of intellectual property in the UK?

Sir Brian Burridge is the Vice President Strategic Marketing at Finmeccanica UK and is currently the Technology and Enterprise Team Lead in the Defence Growth Partnership.

He previously spent a full career as a pilot in the Royal Air Force holding a front-line command at every level in the Service and spent a number of years in MOD policy posts. He left the Royal Air Force in January 2006 as Commander-in-Chief Strike Command.