ANT Industries has welcomed the unveiling of the UltraFan 30 demonstrator by Rolls-Royce, describing the £3 billion programme as an important signal of confidence in the future of British aerospace manufacturing.
The new engine concept, announced in late February, is aimed at the next generation of single-aisle aircraft and represents Rolls-Royce’s ambition to re-enter the narrowbody engine market for the first time in more than a decade. The programme is expected to support tens of thousands of UK jobs and unlock significant economic value across the national aerospace supply chain.
For manufacturers like ANT Industries, which provides precision engineering and specialist manufacturing support to high-value sectors including aerospace, the announcement reflects the strength and long-term potential of the UK’s advanced manufacturing base.
Shaun Rowley, Managing Director of ANT Industries, said the scale and ambition of the UltraFan programme demonstrates why the UK remains one of the world’s most important centres for aerospace innovation.
“It’s fantastic to see Rolls-Royce making such a bold commitment to the future of aircraft propulsion,” said Rowley. “The UltraFan programme is exactly the kind of long-term investment that keeps the UK at the forefront of global aerospace engineering.”
The UltraFan 30 concept is a geared turbofan designed to deliver significantly improved fuel efficiency and sustainability compared with today’s engines. Featuring a high bypass ratio, advanced carbon-titanium fan technology and a powerful gearbox system, the engine is targeting up to 20% lower fuel burn than current narrowbody engines and will be compatible with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from the outset.
Rolls-Royce plans to carry out ground testing of the demonstrator by 2028, positioning the engine as a contender for the next generation of single-aisle aircraft expected to enter service in the late 2030s.
Rowley believes the programme will have ripple effects across the UK’s aerospace ecosystem, supporting innovation and investment throughout the supply chain.
“Major programmes like UltraFan create opportunities across the entire manufacturing landscape,” he said. “From advanced materials and precision machining to testing, coatings and specialist processes, the UK supply chain is world class. When companies like Rolls-Royce push the boundaries of technology, the whole industry moves forward.”
The narrowbody aircraft segment is forecast to double in production over the next 25 years and represents the largest growth opportunity in commercial aviation. Rolls-Royce estimates the programme could support up to 40,000 UK jobs and generate £120 billion in lifetime economic value.
For Rowley, the announcement is also a reminder of the importance of maintaining strong collaboration between industry and government to ensure Britain remains competitive in global aerospace.
“Aerospace is one of the UK’s great industrial success stories,” he added. “Continued investment in research, technology and skills will be vital if we want to maintain that leadership and secure the next generation of aerospace programmes here in the UK.”
As Rolls-Royce continues development of UltraFan, companies like ANT Industries will be watching closely as the programme progresses toward testing and potential future aircraft platforms.
Rowley concluded:
“It’s genuinely exciting to see this level of ambition coming from one of the UK’s most iconic engineering companies. We wish Rolls-Royce every success with UltraFan and look forward to seeing how the programme shapes the future of aerospace.”