GKN Aerospace has begun leading a Swedish collaboration program to develop technical solutions for three important engine subsystems for hydrogen propulsion of medium-range civil aircraft. The $2.8 million H2Jet project was announced on July 14 and involves the aircraft systems and components manufacturing group working with the Swedish Energy Agency, Chalmers University of Technology, Lund University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, University West, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), and Oxeon.

Hydrogen systems can generate power by either direct combustion—the focus of the H2Jet work—or by generating onboard electrical power by use of a fuel cell. The latter approach is already the focus of GKN Aerospace’s ‘H2Gear’ program, which the Europe-based group launched earlier this year.

While the two-year H2Gear project explores a liquid-hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft, H2Jet will involve hydrogen combustion-powered turboprop or turbofan engines for the single-aisle market and potential entry into service on intra-European routes in 2035.

By validating subsystem and component technologies for hydrogen combustion engines, H2Jet will speed the development of international engine and aircraft demonstrator programs such as Clean Aviation Partnership in the recently launched European Union framework program, Horizon Europe.

“We are excited by this project and with the support from Swedish Energy Agency which makes it possible, said Henrik Runnemalm, vice president of GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre in Trollhättan, Sweden. “We will be able to build on our long experience of hydrogen technology from Europe’s Ariane rocket launcher, as well as our unique capabilities in light-weight design and advanced manufacturing technology to help shape a sustainable future for aviation.”

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