Prestwick is at the centre of cutting-edge developments in advanced manufacturing technologies for aerospace, space and beyond.

As part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal, a new Aerospace and Space Technology Applications Centre (ASTAC) is being developed at Prestwick Aerospace.

Through an £11 million investment, ASTAC will offer a dynamic innovation, training and testing facility across the whole aerospace supply chain.

ASTAC aims to help companies to apply new technologies and process innovations to make them more competitive; develop innovations in training via a new Skills & Training Academy and also inspire the next generation of aerospace and space pioneers.

ASTAC currently offers two pilot projects under the banner of Advancing Manufacturing AeroSpace. Led by South Ayrshire Council, these projects are designed to help strengthen Scotland’s manufacturing industry, while creating transformational change in the aerospace and space sectors.

The Aerospace Digital Visualisation Suite (ADVS) and Supply Chain AeroSpace (SCA) projects were established in 2020 to support Small or Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) following a £2million investment from the Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund and match funding.

The ADVS is based at the Aeronautical Engineering Training Centre at Ayrshire College’s Ayr Campus. It offers SMEs access to innovative Extended Reality (XR) technology, helping them enter or expand their presence in the aerospace sector. Using cutting edge XR – incorporating Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) – and digital visualisation, the ADVS helps companies to innovate, develop skills and improve productivity.

The SCA project supports SMEs to improve their productivity and competitiveness through the introduction of innovative manufacturing technologies via the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS). It also works with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier One suppliers to identify supply chain opportunities for SMEs to join the aerospace and space sectors or grow their contribution.

To find out more or become involved in either of these projects, please visit www.am-aerospace.co.uk