by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Jul 22, 2024
GKN Aerospace has introduced H2FlyGHT, an ambitious Pounds 44 million project aimed at developing a 2-megawatt (MW) cryogenic hydrogen-electric propulsion system. This innovative initiative seeks to advance the future of sustainable aviation by focusing on the next generation of larger, eco-friendly aircraft.
H2FlyGHT builds on the foundation laid by the H2GEAR project, incorporating advanced thermal management solutions to boost efficiency and performance.
The project's goal is to streamline the journey toward flight testing and certification, aligning with customer requirements and industry standards. H2FlyGHT will showcase an integrated propulsion system at the 2 MW scale, which includes fuel cell power generation, cryogenic power distribution, and sophisticated cryogenic drive systems.
GKN Aerospace has partnered with several industry and academic entities to achieve H2FlyGHT's objectives:
- Parker Meggitt: Focused on thermal management and the 'balance of plant' for the fuel cell system, ensuring comprehensive system integration and performance.
- University of Manchester: Working on hyperconducting motor coil design, pushing the boundaries of motor technology.
- University of Nottingham: Supporting full motor design and scale-up, as well as developing cryogenic inverter technology crucial for high-power, efficient propulsion systems.
Russ Dunn, CTO of GKN Aerospace, commented, "The H2FlyGHT project marks a pivotal step in our quest to enable aviation's route to net-zero. Building on H2GEAR's innovations, we are scaling up to 2 MW propulsion system demonstration to maximise the payload and range potential of zero-emission flight. Collaborating with our partners, we aim to streamline the path to flight testing and certification, supporting the industry's move to commercialise sustainable hydrogen platforms by the mid-2030s."
Tracy Rice, VP of Technology and Innovation for Parker Aerospace, added, "H2FlyGHT is another key building block towards the hydrogen aircraft and carbon-free aviation. Together with our partners, leveraging our UK footprint and our great engineering capabilities, we are committed to developing the right technologies to enable net-zero emissions by 2050."
Gary Elliott, Chief Executive of the Aerospace Technology Institute, stated, "Hydrogen has a strong potential to power the next generation of sustainable aircraft, and hydrogen fuel cells are a key part of the ATI's Destination Zero strategy and zero-carbon emission roadmap. We are pleased to co-fund and support the H2FlyGHT project, led by GKN Aerospace, which builds on other projects in the ATI Programme portfolio, such as HyFive and H2GEAR. H2FlyGHT will accelerate the fuel cell technology to flight readiness and take us an important step closer to realising the vision of hydrogen-powered flight."
GKN Aerospace is at the forefront of the aviation industry's shift towards commercial hydrogen platforms, expected to launch in the mid-2030s. The company is actively involved in several significant collaborative projects-H2GEAR, HYFIVE, and H2FlyGHT-dedicated to developing a comprehensive zero-emission hydrogen-electric propulsion system. These initiatives represent a combined investment of approximately Pounds 200 million in sustainable technology. Through these groundbreaking projects, both within the UK and globally, GKN Aerospace reaffirms its commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and supporting the transition to zero-emission flight.
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