The UK has established its first sovereign manufacturing capability for ultrahigh-temperature advanced materials, which is vital 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 (CMCs).
“These advanced materials will underpin future defence systems, space technologies and high‑temperature applications,” explained Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Materials Engineer Chris Hawkins.
“Just as importantly, this investment strengthens UK manufacturing, supports skilled jobs and helps ensure we retain control over critical technologies.
As the nation marks British Science Week, this achievement is both scientific and strategic, reducing reliance on overseas supply chains and strengthening the UK’s freedom to operate in space and hypersonics – in step with the ambitions of the Defence Industrial Strategy.
What are ceramic matrix composites?
Ceramic matrix composites are lightweight yet as strong as metal and can withstand temperatures exceeding 1,000°C.
Unlike conventional metals, they hold their strength and shape under extreme heat and stress. These properties make them essential for:
- Space: Protecting spacecraft and satellite components during launch and atmospheric re‑entry
- Hypersonics: Enabling vehicles to travel at more than 5 times the speed of sound while enduring intense aerodynamic heating
- Advanced propulsion: Where components must survive prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures
Bringing important technology back to the UK
The UK has historically relied heavily on overseas suppliers for specialist advanced materials, but this work brings a critical technology onshore, strengthening supply chain resilience and ensuring the UK can independently design and manufacture strategic materials.
Cross Manufacturing Ltd employs around 550 people and operates facilities in Bath and Wiltshire.
The company co-invested in the capability’s development, seeing it as a major growth opportunity across both civilian and defence aerospace.
Dstl Chief Executive Dr Paul Hollinshead stated: “This achievement demonstrates how defence investment in science and technology drives high-value jobs, advanced manufacturing and regional economic growth.
“By moving rapidly from laboratory research to an industrially relevant pilot production line, the programme has accelerated the UK’s ability to convert scientific excellence into deployable capability.”
Collaborating with industry and academia to produce the highest quality advanced materials
Funded by the MOD’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Cross Manufacturing Ltd worked in partnership with Dstl, the University of Oxford, the National Composites Centre and UK Atomic Energy Authority, as well as defence industry firms QinetiQ and MBDA.
The collaboration has delivered a dedicated pilot facility capable of producing consistent, high‑quality advanced materials at a scale ready for transition to full industrial production.
Dr Talha Pirzada, Research & Technology Manager at Cross Manufacturing Ltd, concluded: “Through this programme, we have successfully transformed UK expertise from research into pilot‑scale manufacturing.
“The consortium now holds the capability to produce demonstrator components from oxide‑based ceramic matrix composites – a first for the UK. This sets the foundation for a fully sovereign production capability.”