Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin Corporation, will participate in the HyFIVE consortium of industry and academic partners developing a world-leading liquid H₂ fuel system and supply chain supporting zero-emission aviation in the 2030s.

In addition to Parker Aerospace, HyFIVE includes fellow industry partners Marshall and GKN Aerospace, as well as academic partners University of Manchester, University of Bath and Cardiff University. The project is supported by the ATI Program, a partnership between the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Innovate UK (UKRI). The consortium will receive initial funding of £17 MM ($21.5 MM) from industry, matched by £20 MM ($25 MM) from the UK Government.

The objective of the HyFIVE consortium is to develop, test and validate a modular and scalable cryogenic H₂ fuel system architecture appropriate for multiple types of aircraft, and support of H₂ electric propulsion or H₂ combustion powertrains. The initiative will address technology development for H₂ fuel systems in five key areas: storage, conveyance, indication, fueling and venting.

Parker Aerospace, which includes Parker Meggitt, has a broad spectrum of solutions for both airframes and engines and will furnish its advanced technology and expertise in the areas of sensing, thermal management and fluid conveyance.

Marshall will be leading the HyFIVE efforts, providing its expertise in complex system design, integration and certification, honed over decades of delivering aircraft fuel systems and complex aircraft modification projects.

GKN Aerospace, specializing in the design, manufacture and assembly of aircraft structures, engine components and systems, will contribute its industry-leading advanced materials and H₂ cryogenic system optimization expertise.

Academic partners University of Manchester, University of Bath and Cardiff University have been selected for their world-leading research capabilities and advanced testing facilities in the areas of H₂-electric propulsion, cryogenic applications, power transmission, turbomachinery and next-generation material development.

The HyFIVE consortium members have defined a full technical program spanning several years, from initial architecture development and supplier engagement to ground testing and final design review for the integrated fuel system. By 2027, the consortium plans to:

• Develop and validate an integrated family of mature fuel system technologies and capabilities conducive to certification.
• Conduct ground demonstration of an integrated fuel system encompassing the storage, conveyance, indication, venting and fueling systems.
• Open a range of flight demonstration and exploitation paths with prospective customers.
• Develop a customer-ready supply chain and industrialization strategy.

The timely achievement of these objectives will support the successful introduction of a new generation of zero-emissions aircraft in the 2030s.

"Parker is fully committed to sustainability, which is why we are making focused investments in innovative, next-generation technologies,” said Tracy Rice, vice president of technology and innovation for Parker Aerospace. “H₂ 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.”