The Government of Canada is set to invest in the country’s aerospace sector to support the development of next-generation helicopter technology.

The C$49.5m ($39m) investment will be provided to an aerospace consortium led by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada.

It will help Bell and 18 industry and academic partners to develop new technologies that can be integrated into next-generation manned and unmanned helicopters, as well as fully autonomous aerial systems.

Funding will support the development of technologies that can make aircraft more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable, as well as reducing noise pollution.

“The investment is expected to provide more than 300 jobs in Canada and contribute nearly C$178m ($141m) to Canada’s GDP over the next five years.”

The investment is expected to provide more than 300 jobs in Canada and contribute nearly C$178m ($141m) to Canada’s GDP over the next five years.

In addition, Bell and its consortium partners have pledged to invest more than C$125m ($99m) in Canada’s aerospace industry as part of the project.

Partners include Pratt & Whitney Canada, CMC Electronics, Esterline Technologies, various small and medium-sized businesses, as well as nine Canadian universities.

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada president Cynthia Garneau said: “This programme will foster the development of new engineering and manufacturing knowledge and technologies by the Bell team in Canada.

“It will instill a new dynamic in the aerospace community and strengthen Canada’s role as an innovation leader in the vertical lift and unmanned aerial systems segments.

“This programme allows new technologies to emerge and offers a wide range of companies of all sizes an unprecedented access to new markets.”

In a separate development, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded three contracts worth C$1.8m ($1.4m) to Neptec Design Group to promote innovation in space technologies and deepspace exploration.