Quickstep Technologies has signed a development agreement with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. The University will test Quickstep's manufacturing process and will be the first Quickstep cell with an emphasis on aviation applications. Quickstep uses a low pressure, heated water system to cure composites, significantly reducing the time and cost compared to traditional autoclave curing.

GKN Aerospace has decided to fund a facility expansion at its East Cowes, UK site, in preference to its operations in the United States and other parts of the UK. GKN's expertise in composites has resulted in the award of some major contracts, one of the most significant being the wing spars for the Airbus A400M. The East Cowes area is home to a number of other composites companies, including SP Systems, Vestas and a variety of marine companies.

The FY 2005 U.S. Defense Appropriations bill includes $1 million (USD) for the development of composites for naval applications. The Structural Reliability of Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer (FRP) Composites in Ship Assemblies program is developing methods to reliably design and manufacture large FRP composite parts for ships. The program focuses on two main issues: the ability to produce large parts with consistent properties; and the ability to handle material property variability in ship design.

As the Farnborough Air Show approaches, Boeing and Airbus continue to trade jabs about their new aircraft. In addition to potential weight problems on the A380 and concerns over the high use of composites on the 7E7, both companies also argue the other receives too many government subsidies. Boeing claims Airbus no longer needs the same government support it received 30 years ago, while Airbus claims Boeing has received huge subsidies from Washington state.