UK’s H2FlyGHT project will take a cryogenic hydrogen-electric powertrain closer to flight test and certification.
A GKN Aerospace-led project to develop and test a 2-megawatt cryogenic hybrid-electric propulsion system is one of five to be supported by almost £103 million ($133 million) in government funding via the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute announced at Farnborough Airshow.
With a total budget of £44 million, the GKN-led H2FlyGHT project will develop a propulsion system combining liquid-hydrogen (LH2) storage, fuel-cell power generation, cryogenically cooled power distribution and cryogenic electric drive systems.
H2FlyGHT is a follow-on to the £54 million H2Gear program, under which a GKN-led team plans to ground test a 1-megawatt demonstrator powertrain in 2026. This will use cryogenic LH2 as fuel and to cool gaseous helium that cools the distribution network, power electronics and superconducting motors to reduce resistance, increase efficiency and save weight.
Intended to streamline the path to flight testing and certification of a 2-megwatt powertrain for a 46-seat regional aircraft, H2FlyGHT also involves: Parker Meggitt on thermal management and balance of plant for the fuel cell system; University of Manchester for the superconducting motor coil design; and University of Nottingham for the full motor design and cryogenic inverter development.
In addition to H2FLyGHT, the UK government is supporting the £17.5 million AFCAD (Advanced Fuel Cell for Aviation Decarbonization) project led by ZeroAvia. A follow-in to the startup’s government-supported HyFlyer I and I projects to flight test hydrogen-electric powertrains, AFCAD aims to commercialize ZeroAvia’s high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel-cell technology.
Rolls-Royce is receiving support for the £20.3 million Hotline (Hot Section Lifting and Materials) project to develop turbine technologies that reduce unit and life cycle costs. Cranfield University and the University of Birmingham are partners in the Hotline project.
Also supported is the £10.9 million Scenic Composites project led by Queens University Belfast to build composite materials capability in the Belfast, Northern Ireland, aerospace cluster. A £10 million project to reduce material usage, led by Belfast-based Short Brothers (currently part of Spirit AeroSystems), also receives UK government backing.
Related Content
