Aircraft industry gets £17.4 million IT boost

A new aerospace computer simulation project, designed to help bring products to market faster, has gained 17.4 million in matching funds from the government and industry.

The CFMS Core Programme - which brings together an 8.7 million investment from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with matching support from an Airbus-led consortium - is developing simulation software to improve the design process for aircraft and cut the time between conception and production.

"It again puts this country at the forefront of greener transport technology... That is why we are right behind it," said Darling.