The aeronautical sector is a dynamic and driving force as a source of RD&I in Spain. An intense activity that is maintained independently of economic cycles and market trends, and that contributes to meeting the needs demanded by society. These are some of the main conclusions the innovation report prepared by the Official College of Aeronautical Engineers of Spain (COIAE).
The study, which makes a general review of R&D&I in the aeronautical industry in our country, has been sent to the Government, specifically to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, as well as to various economic and social entities.
“Innovation is a key aspect in the evolution of the aeronautical sector, in addition to turning the aeronautical industry into a strategic niche for the future of the country, it involves a constant transfer of cutting-edge technologies to the rest of the productive sectors,” says the dean of the COIAE, Estefanía Matesanz.
Industry focused on innovation
Overall spending on R&D&I in Spain accounted for just 1.25% of GDP in 2019, well below the European average (2.1%) and an abyss away from technology leaders such as Israel and South Korea, with rates above 4%. Despite this, the COIAE recalls that investment in R&D&I in the aeronautical sector is between 8% and 11% of its profits, well above the global, and at internationally competitive levels. “This makes it one of the most focused sectors in this area,” point out the authors of the report Ismael Gutiérrez Alba and Álvaro Rodríguez Sanz, winners of the COIAE aeronautical innovation award in the 2021 and 2020 editions respectively.
Investment in innovation is remarkably efficient: within the aeronautical sector, the return on investment associated with products introduced during the last 5 years reaches 45% of the companies’ total profits (source: Research and Innovation in the Aviation Sector). This leads the industry to establish a high demand for new and innovative products that can meet key challenges demanded by society, such as: less aircraft weight and noise, more fuel efficiency, better comfort and quality of service, greater regional connectivity, efficiency and flexibility, or a lower environmental impact.
Sector evolving along with society
The aeronautical sector does not evolve in isolation from society: its size, shape and success are determined by the degree to which the sector is able to respond to the needs of society as a whole.
The future looks very much oriented towards sustainability, with emissions reductions through numerous mechanisms: from green fuels and advances in aerodynamics and motorization, to electrification and hydrogen propulsion.
From space, new services will make it possible to meet increasingly stringent demands in terms of global connectivity, both at user and IoT level, and monitoring of our planet to control and help correct threats, especially climatic ones.
Digitalization continues its massive implementation, whether in production processes, design processes or individualized service in airports and other airport infrastructures. The customer is at the center of all business activity, and new models of mobility as a service are appearing around him, including aerial micro-mobility promoted by electrification.
The future also promises to go further than ever before, with a strong trend towards expansion into lunar and Martian environments in the coming decades, which will foster new space logistics, and new services linked to it.
The study identifies and analyzes the most important innovations and their evolution in four categories: aircraft and spacecraft; aerospace propulsion and fuels; materials and processes; air navigation; and airports and air transport. In addition, it makes a strategic framework of innovation at European and Spanish level, from regulations to programs and policies, as well as a discussion of the main current trends in the industry, showing the major challenges that concentrate the greatest efforts, such as sustainability, connectivity and economic and social development.
Source: COIAE
