In Saxony and Thuringia the aerospace industry is one of strongest and most innovative fields, especially when it comes to cross-industry technologies and innovation. Main areas of activities and core competencies are fitting and retrofitting of aircrafts, component production for aircrafts and spacecrafts, testing of aircraft and spacecraft structures, research and development of aerospace technology as well as aviation and support and maintenance of aircrafts. Set up in 2001, the LRT Network (Kompetenzzentrum Luft und Raumfahrttechnik Sachsen/Thüringen e.V.) represents the interests of the aerospace companies and research institutions in Saxony and Thuringia. Its mission is to drive forward the development of the aerospace industry in the two federal states and boost the industry network. The companies, university and non-university research institutions and external industrial research institutions focus on stabilising and strengthening the region's aerospace competences. The cluster brings together research excellence and entrepreneurial strengths in materials, manufacturing technologies for tools and semi-finished products, calculation, simulation and construction processes, automated production technologies for components and structures, and testing and qualification procedures.