The main goal of DEMOQUAS is to develop an efficient framework of uncertainty quantification (UQ) and provide holistic aircraft/ engine design tools (i.e. multi-fidelity, multi-disciplinary, digital threads/twins and Model Based System Engineering {MBSE} or Model Based Definition {MBD} modalities) with the capability to become ‘UQ-enabled’. In this way, it will contribute to achieving the highest level of aviation safety, regarding novel propulsion technologies. The project includes representation, characterization and propagation of uncertainties through the life cycle phases of design, manufacturing and operations, applied in six industrially relevant test cases. In this way, it will contribute to advancing the current state of the art in UQ methods, by effectively improving their efficiency (i.e. regarding ‘curse of dimensionality’ for simulation time and accuracy). The project’s ambition is to provide comprehensive UQ guidelines and enhance decision and policy making of unknown technologies’ development, support virtual certification and ensure a high level of safety and improved risk management. To achieve its main goal, the project will build on the following main objectives: • Perform detailed characterization of life cycle uncertainties for components and systems of components developed for a turboprop aircraft, based on a hybridized, liquid-H2/SAF configuration; • Employ and further develop UQ methods in a multi-layered manner: [Lifecycle] design, manufacturing/measuring, operations, [Scales/fidelities] sub-systems, systems, systems-of-systems; • Deliver an ‘as open as possible’ framework that will allow integrated propulsion system design tools/platforms to become ‘UQ-enabled’ and increase safety and risk management; • Verify and validate the UQ methodologies via testing campaigns (up to TRL5) including operational cases; • Promote the project's benefits via targeted synergies in European, national and international level.

Rolls-Royce has assembled a world-class consortium of UK industry and academia to develop the next generation of microprocessors for use in aerospace and other harsh environments. The next generation of aircraft, designed to meet net-zero targets, will require more complex, intelligent, autonomous, and connected systems, and at the heart of those software-enabled systems is the need for a cyber-secure, high-integrity processor. Microprocessor design and manufacture is complex, and typically commercial off-the-shelf automotive and general-purpose microprocessors are repurposed for aerospace. That approach has issues of obsolescence, complexity and design trade-offs that have long-term cost implications. Recent experience in the automotive industry has also demonstrated how the supply chain for off-the-shelf components can be significantly and adversely affected by global events such as COVID. Project SCHEME (Safety-Critical Harsh Environment Micro-processing Evolution) will develop a new generation of UK-native, safety critical and cyber-secure microprocessors. Developing a bespoke processor reduces design and through-life costs, ensures security of supply and provides protection from the global issues that face the semiconductor industry. The project will initially develop a control processor suitable for high-integrity control and monitoring. A manufacturing and support solution will be developed that provides better obsolescence protection than is available from off-the-shelf devices. It will also provide an associated electronics, security and software tooling infrastructure to enable the UK to strengthen its position in high-integrity avionics design and manufacturing. This project will build UK national resilience in this area and make the processor available not only to aerospace, but in other areas where systems operate in harsh environments. SCHEME will engage with the wider community to identify and pursue exploitation opportunities, including supporting potential adopters with microprocessor trials. The project will put the UK in a position to design and build the low-carbon, intelligent systems that will be critical to society in the future. The project is partly funded by the UK government agencies, BEIS, ATI, and Innovate UK. Rolls-Royce is joined by TT Electronics, Volant Autonomy, Rapita Systems, Adacore, The Manufacturing Technology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, University of Bristol, University of Sheffield, and University of York.

REPLENISH will develop a portfolio of maintenance, repair, inspection, sensing, and digital twinning techniques predominately to support Rolls-Royce's civil fleet through improved time on-wing and reduced in-shop costs. Rolls-Royce will lead the programme supported by the following best-in-class UK organisations: Clifton Photonics, BJR Systems, AddQual, i3D Robotics, MTC, and Universities of Nottingham, Sheffield, Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester, and Southampton. The collaboration will develop, mature, test, verify, and demonstrate cutting-edge aftermarket servicing technologies including custom in-field robotics, adaptive-additive repairs, more-automated component inspection, novel on-engine health sensors, and Machine Learning methods for rapid decision making. Alongside underpinning more sustainable aftermarket care of Rolls-Royce's current aerospace fleet, initial development of servicing approaches for future architectures is planned.

For competitive product offerings for future civil large and business aviation gas turbine engines, Roll-Royce has identified opportunities through a step change in the materials utilised in rotating compressor components, primarily in discs and Linear Friction Welded (LFW) blisks. Advancements in titanium alloy technologies have resulted in higher strength materials being available in the market that will enable the design of smaller and lighter weight components. By expanding the design space, new component design architectures would be possible. This would support the necessary engine architectures required for incorporating gearboxes or embedding electrical generators in future Ultra-efficient and Zero-carbon emission propulsion engines. This programme aims to mature a High Strength Titanium (HSTi) alloy to TRL6 and develop UK capabilities to design & manufacture advanced components in HSTi. Some of the key deliverables from this programme are listed below: * Qualification of a new high strength titanium alloy for use in both critical disc components and compressor aerofoils * Full lifing correlations for understanding of operational boundaries, * Development of joining processes for dissimilar alloy joining and fabrication of large critical rotating components such as fan discs, * Extend knowledge on the complex phenomenon of cold dwell fatigue and its applicability to the latest titanium alloys. This programme will provide a solid foundation to exploit the latest titanium alloys, which will offer a step change in capability. It is anticipated to make a significant contribution to performance increases and weight reduction on future engines. The impact of HSTi on current repair techniques will be assessed as part of the validation programme. More advanced repair techniques will be considered in future repair technology programmes. Potential collaborators are universities and research centres such as University of Birmingham (UoB), Advanced Forging Research Centre (AFRC), and Imperial College London (ICL), Swansea University (SU), as well as selected specialist engineering resources (O'Donnell Consultancy Services (ODCS)).

Quantum computers are new types of powerful computers that are based on building blocks called qubits, that carry information in a more effective way than the bits on a conventional computer. Quantum computers have the potential to achieve computational times that are orders of magnitude faster than conventional computers. While qubits work differently from conventional bits, the computation workflow is somewhat similar: when we wish to run an algorithm, we write some lines of code that get translated into the so-called quantum circuit which then enacts a series of operations on the qubits before delivering a result. However, at the moment, this process is far from optimal, and the times needed for the pre-quantum steps required to run a calculation are prohibitively high. For quantum computers to become commercially useful, we need to not only optimise the algorithms we want to run and minimise the resources they need, but also reduce the time needed to translate them into a series of operations that can be then run on the qubits. While this constitutes an important problem for quantum computers, so far very little work has been done to address it. Another problem is that the quantum industry is currently very fragmented and still in its early stage of development. This project brings together leading quantum software and hardware companies from the UK and Canada - Riverlane and Xanadu - to help solve the technical challenge of improving the quality of the quantum algorithms and making them run easier, faster and better on the qubits. Riverlane will work on implementing techniques that allow algorithms to run using less resources, while Xanadu will develop a new hybrid classical-quantum compiler that will significantly decrease the calculation times and will allow users to use the appropriate resources in an optimal way. Rolls-Royce, a leader in power and propulsion systems will lead this project, providing real-world testcases that cannot be solved by today's quantum computers. Rolls-Royce will also develop new application software to best exploit the Riverlane and Xanadu developments. The partners will work together to combine improvements in quantum software, hardware and algorithms to significantly improve the runtime and results when running quantum algorithms. Our project brings together companies from UK and Canada to help develop quantum computers that will transform the way several sectors, such as finance, pharmaceuticals, aerospace etc. design and develop their products.