The consortium consists of 4 RTOs (TWI, VZLU, WEST, QUB), a welding equipment supplier (ESAB), a simulation based engineering company (GEON), and an aerospace supplier (ROMA). Saab is the topic manager. The consortium assembled represents the state-of-the-art, regarding to the welding, modelling, characterisation and testing skills required to carry out the research required, and as such is well placed to deliver this programme.