The UK government has awarded £4.4 million to businesses developing aviation technology including drones and unmanned aircraft.

The investment is part of the government's Future Flight programme, which is designed to make the UK a leader in aviation.

The funding has been delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the country's national innovation agency.

The government said the technologies have the potential to transform industries, from healthcare to energy, adding that they will become increasingly important to help deliver goods, including vital medical supplies, more quickly and efficiently.

Projects working on next-generation zero-emission aircraft and the development of vertical take-off and landing technology will also receive funding.

Among the successful projects are Beyond Restoration, a project transforming land restoration efforts across multiple UK sites by using long-range, heavy-lift drones to deliver environmental materials to remote and ecologically sensitive areas.

Also receiving funding is the London Health Bridge Project, a drone delivery service, which will use the funding to significantly scale up its operations, aiming to increase from 1,000 to 50,000 medical sample deliveries per month.

The Regional Offshore Cargo Drone Demonstrator, a Scottish project that will pilot the UK’s first heavy-lift drone logistics service tailored to support offshore wind farms, will also receive funding.

The announcement is the latest move by the government to build on the UK’s position as a leader in aerospace innovation.

It follows a commitment to invest a record £14.9 billion in research and development, which it said will strengthen industries including life sciences, green energy and engineering, as well as support careers that will grow the UK’s research ecosystem.
“Investing in emerging technologies like drones and unmanned aircraft is key to build a greener and more efficient transport system,” said aviation minister Keir Mather. “But this isn’t just good news for the environment – this tech will also save our public sector and businesses valuable time and cash, while helping to boost skills and support high quality jobs across the country.”

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