The sector challenge
A promising technology is not yet an industrial solution.
Research outputs and industrial requirements are often described in different terms. A sensing technique may demonstrate an interesting measurement, while a manufacturer needs repeatability, access to the component, integration with an existing process and a manageable cost of adoption. A useful transfer pathway begins by making that difference explicit.
The programme is developing a structured research-to-industry pathway around bounded applications, existing evidence and the evidence still needed. The methodology distinguishes technical readiness from commercial viability and from certification or customer-approval requirements.
Programme development priorities
- Translate a specific industry problem into measurable application requirements.
- Identify technical, ownership and adoption gaps before committing to a demonstration.
- Prepare a reasoned next-stage decision: investigate, demonstrate, redirect or stop.
Technical scope & method
A structured approach to the question.
- 01Discover and match
- Describe the research output, intended users and relevant aerospace process. Compare the claimed capability with an industry problem statement rather than matching by technology label alone.
- 02Assess readiness and rights
- Review test evidence, operating conditions and readiness gaps alongside intellectual-property ownership, licensing options and disclosure constraints. TRL-style assessments indicate technological maturity; they do not establish commercial or certification readiness.
- 03Define an industrial evaluation
- Agree a representative sample, baseline method, measurement criteria and demonstration conditions. Identify integration interfaces, prototype requirements and the resources needed to obtain useful evidence.
- 04Plan adoption
- Consider reliability, maintainability, training, procurement and scale-up implications. Record what an early customer evaluation can establish and what remain unresolved.
- 01Research outputExisting evidence and ownership
- 02Application needRequirements and constraints
- 03Feasibility reviewReadiness gaps and test criteria
- 04Demonstration decisionResources, rights and evaluation plan
Pilot development & application
An inspection technology against a defined manufacturing need.
Pilot development focuses on non-contact inspection of a specified aerospace component feature. The evaluation framework brings together application requirements, representative authorized samples, a reference measurement method and repeatability criteria. The emphasis is on identifying the evidence needed for an industrial evaluation and a well-founded next-stage decision.
Frame the requirement
Define the defect or characteristic of interest, access limitations, repeatability needs and reference measurement.
Review the constraints
Confirm sample rights, intellectual property, confidentiality, test feasibility and whether export restrictions require specialist review.
Design the demonstration
Specify acceptance criteria, data collection and independent review before any industrial evaluation. A positive result support a further decision, not automatic product approval.
Development connects a defined application, measurable criteria and a traceable technical review.
Technical deliverables
Outputs and evaluation.
The development workstreams connect these deliverables to reviewable evidence and application-specific evaluation criteria.
- Technology opportunity profile
- Industry problem statement
- Application feasibility assessment
- Technology-readiness review
- Prototype or demonstration plan
- Commercialisation pathway outline
Evaluation priorities
- Technical fit
- Evidence that the method addresses the defined requirement under relevant conditions.
- Readiness gaps
- Unresolved integration, repeatability and scale-up issues, with an explicit evidence plan.
- Decision quality
- Traceable reasons for proceeding or stopping, including resource needs and stakeholder interest.
Participation & boundaries
The right expertise. Clear responsibilities.
The participation framework brings together the roles of research teams, technology-transfer offices, aerospace engineers, industrial users and qualified intellectual-property specialists. Responsibilities are defined around the technology, its ownership and the needs of the application.
Scope and safeguards
Development treats ownership, confidentiality, licensing and applicable export controls as part of the transfer pathway. Rights and disclosure conditions must be resolved before controlled information or samples are exchanged.
Customer qualification, certification and regulated approval remain separate decisions with the responsible organization or authority. Technical maturity and commercial adoption are evaluated on their own evidence.
Participation and technical decisions remain separate.
Participation does not automatically confer membership rights, AF Recognition, accreditation, certification, standards-setting authority or procurement preference. Sponsorship must not determine technical conclusions, evaluation results or governance decisions.
Development pathway
Development, grounded in evidence.
Technical objectives, responsible coordination and application needs shape the development process. Resources, safety, confidentiality, data protection, intellectual property and reporting arrangements are reviewed alongside the methods and deliverables, keeping progress focused and accountable.
A structured development pathwayExplore the seven connected development stages
Programme development connects technical requirements, responsible coordination and reviewable evidence. Each stage informs the next, while review findings refine the scope, methods and priorities.
- Requirements & Objectives
Define the technical problem, user need and scope.
- Feasibility & Evidence
Examine methods, resources, interfaces and dependencies.
- Scope & Responsibilities
Align workstreams, coordination and review arrangements.
- Pilot Development
Connect the evaluation plan to funding, safety, data and intellectual-property controls.
- Controlled Implementation
Maintain the agreed technical boundary and responsible delivery arrangements.
- Technical Evaluation
Review evidence and outcomes against application-specific criteria.
- Knowledge & Further Development
Translate reviewed findings into useful outputs and the next development priorities.