New facility aims to revolutionise aerospace, energy, and defence sectorsKing Charles at the opening Author: Charlotte BarberPublished 3 hours agoHis Majesty The King officially opened the New Whittle Laboratory in Cambridge on 20th July. This groundbreaking £58 million facility is poised to become the world’s leading research centre for jet engines and power generation.During his visit, the King engaged with researchers, government officials, and industry leaders from aviation and energy sectors to explore the Laboratory’s ambitious mission to condense development timelines for key aerospace and energy technologies from years to weeks. The King’s connection to the Whittle Laboratory spans multiple visits, notably breaking ground in 2023 post-Coronation and attending engagements as Prince of Wales in 2020 and 2022. Comprised of the Bennett Innovation Lab and the National Centre for Propulsion and Power, the Laboratory is designed to launch numerous industry-advancing missions and rapidly test innovative ideas. The facility’s conceptual approach encourages risk-taking and utilises Formula 1-style rapid fabrication and testing to accelerate technology development. Parallel to the opening, the Frank Whittle Summit convened industrial leaders and tech experts, presenting a forum for collaboration within aerospace, energy, and defence innovation. The Summit, supported by the Sustainable Markets Initiative, initiated by the King, gathered key figures from Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Siemens Energy, and others to spearhead transformative missions that integrate AI into hardware development. The innovation guided by the Summit aims to harmonise industrial progress with environmental stewardship, coinciding with the inauguration of the Hatton Professorship of Sustainability at Cambridge, championing the King’s legacy and commitment to sustainability. The Professorship, endowed with £7 million, reflects contributions from Trinity College and the Hatton Trust, enhancing collaboration between academia, industry, and government for sustainable technological advancement. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.
King opens Cambridge’s £58 million Whittle Laboratory for advanced research
