Joining Marshall, GKN Aerospace, University of Manchester, University of Bath and Cardiff University, Parker Aerospace will contribute to the HyFIVE consortium’s goals of supporting zero-emission aviation.
The project, supported by the UK Government, Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Innovate UK’s (UKRI) ATI Programme, plans to develop, test and validate modular and scalable cryogenic hydrogen fuel systems to support hydrogen-electric propulsion and hydrogen combustion powertrains for multiple types of aircraft.
Backed with initial industry funding of £17m ($21m) and UK Government funding of £20m ($25m), the project aims to address storage, conveyance, indication, fuelling and venting for hydrogen fuel systems.
By 2027, HyFIVE plans to develop and validate mature fuel system technologies that will be able to achieve certification; conduct ground demonstrations; open a range of flight demonstrations with prospective customers; and develop a customer-ready supply chain and industrialisation strategy.
The project comes after GKN Aerospace, Marshall and Parker signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore developing liquid hydrogen systems.
Tracy Rice, Vice-President of Technology and Innovation at Parker Aerospace, said, “Hydrogen fuel systems play a critical role in achieving zero emissions in aviation and working with our partners on this project will enable us to further advance our expertise in this area and drive the development of innovative solutions that support a more sustainable future.”
An ATI report in 2021 said liquid hydrogen had the “highest potential” as the future fuel in the aviation sector, noting the energy carrier’s high power-to-weight ratio and zero-carbon credentials.
Read more: Liquid hydrogen has more potential than battery and ammonia in aviation
However, the energy carrier is notoriously difficult to handle. Despite having used liquid hydrogen since the early 1960s, NASA in 2022 called off two launch attempts of its Artemis I – both thanks to liquid hydrogen leaks.
Read more: How space flight’s hydrogen legacy could shape aviation’s future
Why H2FLY is committed to hydrogen-powered flight
© H2FLY | Josef Kallo
For all the energy and excitement being put into hydrogen-powered flight development, even now in 2024, the companies to have taken to the skies, relying solely on hydrogen electric powertrains remains extremely limited.
Being fortunate enough to attend one of those test flights, H2 View in September 2023 on a sunny airfield in Maribor, Slovenia, witnessed H2FLY’s HY4 prototype aircraft take to the skies using liquid hydrogen for the very first time.
The liquid hydrogen test flight followed over 110 successful flights using gaseous hydrogen since 2016. In 2022 it set a world record, flying at 7,230ft on a 77-mile journey between Stuttgart and Friedrichshafen.
Despite the achievement coming as the “first” manned liquid hydrogen flight with a fuel cell aircraft, by speaking to Prof. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of H2FLY, six months on, it’s clear the company has no plans of slowing down…
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