en.Wedoany.com Reported - GKN Aerospace has announced the completion of the H2GEAR project, with a total investment of £54 million, aimed at advancing the development of core technologies required for hydrogen-powered zero-carbon flight.
The project was jointly funded by the UK's Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the ATI program in collaboration with Innovate UK. It was implemented by a consortium of industrial and academic partners, including Intelligent Energy, Aeristech, the University of Manchester, the University of Birmingham, and Newcastle University.
During the project execution phase, H2GEAR provided critical design insights through aircraft-level studies and achieved significant progress in cryogenic drive systems, high-power grid architectures, and fuel cell propulsion system integration. The project reduced technical risks for future flight applications while enhancing the UK's capabilities in the design, manufacturing, and testing of hydrogen-powered aerospace systems.
The project also strengthened collaboration between industry and academia. A notable example is the joint venture between the University of Nottingham and GKN Aerospace, which established HP Drive Technologies (HPD). Based on the technologies and capabilities developed under H2GEAR, HPD provides a dedicated pathway for further developing and industrializing advanced cryogenic drive system technologies for future aerospace applications. As a tangible outcome of the project, this joint venture supports the UK's leading position in zero-emission aviation technology.
Russ Dunn, Chief Technology Officer of GKN Aerospace, stated that the H2GEAR project helped transform hydrogen-electric propulsion from a research vision into an engineering reality. With support from ATI, DBT, Innovate UK, and partners, the project established key technologies, infrastructure, and skills, strengthening both GKN Aerospace and the broader UK aerospace industry. The creation of HP Drive Technologies is a typical example of the program generating lasting industrial capabilities. GKN Aerospace is further maturing H2GEAR technologies in the H2FlyGHT and Iceflight projects, collaborating with customers to unlock commercially viable zero-carbon flight.
Jacqueline Castle, Chief Technology Officer of ATI, stated that the H2GEAR project has enhanced the UK's understanding of hydrogen fuel cell aircraft technologies. This knowledge is crucial for the UK to maintain its leading position in zero-carbon emission technologies and achieve the goals set out in the national aerospace technology strategy, "Engineering Growth." By combining aircraft-level trade-off studies with detailed subsystem and component design and testing, H2GEAR provided insights for aircraft manufacturers and regulators while identifying technologies available for development. Subsequent activities will further consolidate the UK's world-class capabilities in propulsion and fuel system design, helping to secure future market opportunities and high-value aerospace jobs.
