ADS activities are focussed on supporting UK manufacturing and its industries supply chains, contributing to policy debates of importance to its industries, encouraging investments in technology and innovation, supporting business development, and enhancing the profile of its sectors. Its current published priority issues are around developing industrial strategy, productivity supply chain improvements, public procurement, and delivering net zero carbon by 2050. Farnborough International Limited, which runs the
Farnborough Airshow, is a wholly owned subsidiary of ADS. ADS also encompasses the British Aviation Group (BAG). The organization participates in joint initiatives between industry and Government, including the Aerospace Growth Partnership and Defence Growth Partnership. It leads the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP), supported by funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute, aimed at helping UK supply chain companies develop innovative technologies. ADS is the largest member and contributor to the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), the trade association representing Aerospace, Defence and Space in Europe. It publishes a quarterly magazine covering its four sectors, ADS Advance, and annual economic outlook reports on the UK aerospace, defence and security sectors.
Events ADS coordinates UK Pavilions for UK companies exhibiting at international shows such as
Paris Air Show and
Singapore Air Show. The 2017 Paris Air Show saw 88 UK companies exhibiting in the UK Pavilion, while 150 companies exhibited in the 2017 UK Pavilion at
DSEI. It also runs the annual
United Kingdom Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge, a competition for secondary school student teams. The UK national champions compete in the International Rocketry Challenge against winners of the US, French and Japanese competitions. The International Rocketry Challenge final is held at the
Farnborough Airshow or
Paris Air Show in alternating years. ADS holds an Annual Dinner for member companies and invited guests, and since 2015 has held an annual reception in Parliament for apprentices from across its member companies.
Special Interest Groups ADS has more than 30 Special Interest Groups formed of members with similar professional specialisms. All groups deliver activities that are led by members, and cover areas including aerospace exports, aircraft interiors, maritime, training and simulation, and environmental issues.
Offices The head office is situated on the
Albert Embankment (
A3036), on the opposite side of the
Thames to
Millbank Tower, and next to the headquarters of the
London Fire Brigade and the
United Nations'
International Maritime Organization, east of
Lambeth Bridge. It also has offices in •
Farnborough •
Edinburgh •
Belfast •
Toulouse, France ==Governance==