Aerospace Engineering

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

Aerospace engineering is one of the UK’s most technically demanding and innovative industries. From developing lighter, stronger materials to improving fuel efficiency, aerodynamics, and safety systems, aerospace businesses face constant pressure to meet the highest standards of performance and compliance. Whether you’re working in aircraft manufacturing, component design, or aviation systems integration, your projects may qualify for R&D tax relief.

R&D tax relief supports UK businesses that attempt to make scientific or technological advancements by overcoming technical uncertainties. In aerospace, this could mean pushing the limits of materials science, solving complex engineering challenges, or developing new systems that improve the safety, efficiency, or sustainability of aircraft.

Qualifying activities go beyond routine design and manufacturing. To qualify, your work must require experimentation, testing, and problem-solving where the outcome isn’t guaranteed and industry knowledge doesn’t already provide a clear solution.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in aerospace engineering:

Developing New Aerospace Components or Systems

Engineering components such as airframes, wings, engines, or landing gear that are lighter, stronger, or more efficient, particularly when developing materials or designs that have never been used before.

Improving Aerodynamics and Fuel Efficiency

Conducting research and testing to improve airflow, reduce drag, or enhance lift, helping to make aircraft more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Advancing Materials Science

Developing or testing new lightweight composites, alloys, or coatings that improve performance while meeting strict aerospace safety and durability standards.

Enhancing Manufacturing Processes

Improving production techniques such as precision machining, additive manufacturing (3D printing), or advanced assembly methods to reduce waste, improve accuracy, or scale production.

Solving System Integration Challenges

Integrating complex mechanical, electrical, and software systems within aircraft or aerospace infrastructure, particularly when overcoming compatibility, performance, or safety challenges.

Improving Safety and Compliance Systems

Developing new safety features, testing protocols, or certification processes to meet UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or international aerospace standards.

Developing Sustainable Aviation Technologies

Researching and developing low-emission propulsion systems, electric or hybrid aircraft, or sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to support the UK’s net-zero goals.

Testing and Validating Aerospace Innovations

Building and testing prototypes, conducting wind tunnel testing, or running simulations to validate new designs under real-world conditions.

If your aerospace engineering business is engaged in these or similar activities, you could be eligible to claim R&D tax relief. This government-backed incentive can help you recover a portion of your development costs, supporting the ongoing innovation that keeps the UK aerospace industry at the cutting edge of global aviation.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.