British Aerospace ATP

1982: Programme Greenlight

By Research Team
BAe's board formally backs the ATP concept, setting budgets, partners, and an ambitious entry-into-service target.

In June 1982, British Aerospace’s Commercial Aircraft Division convened at Hatfield to review the business case for a stretched and modernised successor to the HS 748. The resulting “Advanced Turboprop” concept—soon shortened to ATP—promised 64 seats, Western noise compliance, and fuel burn advantages approaching 30 percent compared with rival types.

The board papers emphasised:

  • Leveraging the proven HS 748 production system while refreshing the wing and cockpit with contemporary avionics.
  • Pairing the aircraft with a clean-sheet engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada to guarantee low noise and improved hot-and-high performance.
  • Securing early launch customers in Europe and North America through aggressive demonstration tours.

Despite economic headwinds, BAe approved an initial £230m development budget. The company also agreed to pursue risk-sharing talks with Shorts on nacelles and with Dowty on the propeller system. This decision effectively greenlit detailed design work and opened the door for supplier contracting that would run through 1983.