The collaborative liquid hydrogen fuel system, developed by Marshall, GKN Aerospace, and Parker under the MoU, is designed to support hydrogen-electric and combustion applications.
GKN Aerospace, in a pioneering move towards sustainable aviation, three industry giants –Marshall, and Parker Aerospace – have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore liquid hydrogen fuel system solutions for the next generation of zero-emission aircraft. Hydrogen propulsion, whether through fuel cells or combustion, is seen as a crucial avenue for the aviation industry’s ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This partnership signifies a remarkable stride towards sustainable aviation.
The collaborative liquid hydrogen fuel system, developed by Marshall, GKN Aerospace, and Parker under this MoU, is designed to support both hydrogen electric and combustion applications. Leveraging their extensive expertise in designing, testing, certifying, and manufacturing novel fuel systems for aerospace applications, the trio aims to usher in a new era of aviation propulsion.
Russ Dunn, CTO, GKN Aerospace, emphasized, “With this agreement, we have now set out a complete path to achieving zero-emissions flight at a game-changing scale. By working alongside Marshall and Parker, who have deep expertise in fuel systems, we can accelerate the development of the technology building blocks required for a complete hydrogen propulsion system for mid-range aircraft. This partnership, combined with our other industry-leading collaborations, is a significant step towards a sustainable future for aviation.”
The combined efforts of these industry leaders intend to expedite the development of technology foundations needed for a comprehensive hydrogen propulsion system suited for mid-range aircraft. This collaborative effort, coupled with other industry-leading partnerships, marks a significant stride towards a sustainable future for aviation.
Kieren Paterson, Managing Director, Marshall Futureworx said, “Futureworx’s mission is to identify and develop a new generation of innovative products and services that address problems of practical significance. Given our highly creative engineering talent and decades of experience and expertise in developing and certifying novel fuel systems within Marshall Aerospace, we are uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of hydrogen fuel systems for aircraft. We are excited to collaborate with esteemed industry leaders GKN Aerospace and Parker in advancing the development of hydrogen propulsion systems and contributing to a more sustainable aviation industry.”
The proposed liquid hydrogen fuel system collaboration is poised to benefit from the ongoing UK Aerospace Technology Institute-funded H2GEAR program, led by GKN Aerospace. The program is set to ground test a scalable hydrogen electric fuel cell propulsion system by 2025. The collective aspiration is to integrate the complete scalable fuel system and propulsion system in a single flight test bed environment before the decade’s end. At the recent Paris Air Show, GKN Aerospace also signed a collaborative MoU to explore an integrated flight demonstration of the end-to-end system.
Tracy Rice, VP Technology and Innovation, Parker Aerospace said, “Parker is fully committed to sustainability which is why we are making focused investments in innovative, next-generation technologies. Hydrogen fuel systems play a critical role in achieving zero emissions in aviation and we are confident that this partnership will enable us to further advance our expertise in this area and drive the development of innovative solutions that support a more sustainable future.”
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Initial assessments indicate the potential for the system to accommodate a wide range of aircraft, including commuter planes, business jets, and regional aircraft. Research into the system’s scalability for larger narrow-body aircraft is currently underway. This collaborative effort showcases a convergence of industry expertise and commitment to realizing a sustainable aviation future.
