For the first time, the UK has established sovereign manufacturing capabilities for ultra-high temperature advanced materials essential for space, hypersonic and propulsion systems.
Cross Manufacturing Ltd has built the UK’s first pilot-scale end-to-end manufacturing process for advanced materials known as ceramic matrix composites (CMC).
“These advanced materials will support future defense systems, space technology, and high-temperature applications,” explains Defense Science and Technology Laboratory materials engineer Chris Hawkins.
“Equally importantly, this investment will help strengthen UK manufacturing, support skilled jobs and ensure we maintain control of key technologies.
As the nation commemorates British Science Week, this achievement is both scientific and strategic, aligning with the ambitions of the Defense Industrial Strategy to reduce dependence on overseas supply chains and strengthen Britain’s freedom to operate in space and hypersonics.
What is ceramic matrix composite material?
Ceramic matrix composites are lightweight, yet as strong as metals, and can withstand temperatures in excess of 1,000°C.
Unlike traditional metals, it maintains its strength and shape even under extreme heat and stress. These characteristics make it essential to:
Space: Protecting spacecraft and satellite components during launch and atmospheric entry Hypersonics: Allowing vehicles to travel at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound while withstanding severe aerodynamic heating Advanced propulsion: When components must survive extended exposure to extreme temperatures
Bringing vital technology back to the UK
The UK has historically been highly reliant on overseas suppliers for specialist advanced materials, but this initiative will bring critical technology home, strengthen the resilience of the supply chain and enable the UK to design and manufacture strategic materials on its own.
Cross Manufacturing Ltd employs approximately 550 people and operates facilities in Bath and Wiltshire.
The company saw this as a major growth opportunity across both civil and defense aerospace and co-invested in the development of this capability.
Dstl Chief Executive Dr Paul Hollinshead said: “This achievement shows how defense investments in science and technology can foster high-value jobs, advanced manufacturing, and regional economic growth.
“This program has accelerated the UK’s ability to transform scientific excellence into deployable capabilities by moving quickly from laboratory research to industry-relevant pilot production lines.”
Creating the highest quality cutting-edge materials through industry-academia collaboration
Funded by the Chief Scientific Adviser in the Ministry of Defence, Cross Manufacturing Ltd worked in partnership with Dstl, the University of Oxford, the National Composites Center, the UK Atomic Energy Agency and defense industry companies QinetiQ and MBDA.
The partnership has resulted in a dedicated pilot facility capable of producing consistent, high-quality advanced materials at scale ready for transition to full industrial production.
Dr. Talha Pirzada, Research and Technology Manager at Cross Manufacturing Ltd, concludes: “Through this program, we have successfully transferred UK expertise from research to pilot-scale manufacturing.
“The consortium now holds the capacity to manufacture demonstrator components from oxide-based ceramic matrix composites for the first time in the UK. This establishes the basis for a fully sovereign manufacturing capability.”
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