GKN Aerospace marks the successful completion of H2GEAR, the £54 million program to advance technologies required for hydrogen-powered, zero-carbon flight. The project was co-funded by the ATI Program, a partnership between the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Innovate UK. The project was delivered by a consortium of leading industrial and academic partners including Intelligent Energy, Aeristech, The University of Manchester, University of Birmingham and Newcastle University.

Over the course of the program, H2GEAR delivered major design insights via aircraft-level studies, as well as significant advances in cryogenic drive systems, high power electrical network architectures and fuel-cell propulsion system integration. The program has successfully reduced technical risk for future flight applications while strengthening UK capability in the design, manufacture and testing of hydrogen-enabled aerospace systems.

The program also strengthened collaboration across industry and academia. A notable example is the launch of HP Drive Technologies Ltd. (HPD), a joint venture between the University of Nottingham and GKN Aerospace. Building on technologies and capability developed through H2GEAR, HPD provides a dedicated pathway to further develop and industrialize advanced cryogenic drive system technologies for future aerospace applications. The venture represents a tangible legacy of the program and supports the UK's leadership in zero-emission aviation technologies.

Russ Dunn, Chief Technology Officer, GKN Aerospace, said, "H2GEAR has helped move hydrogen-electric propulsion from research ambition towards engineering reality. Through the support of ATI, DBT, Innovate UK and our partners, we have established critical technologies, infrastructure and skills that strengthen both GKN Aerospace and the wider UK aerospace industry. The creation of HP Drive Technologies Ltd. is a strong example of how this program bore enduring industrial capability. Building on this strong foundation, we are now maturing H2GEAR technologies in the H2FlyGHT and ICEFLIGHT programs, as we work with our customers to unlock commercially viable, zero-carbon flight."

Jacqueline Castle, Chief Technology Officer, ATI said, “H2GEAR has advanced understanding of hydrogen fuel cell aircraft technologies in the UK. This knowledge is key to the UK building on our leadership in zero-carbon emission technologies and delivering the ambitions set out in the national aerospace technology strategy, Engineering Growth. By combining aircraft-level trade studies with detailed sub-system and component design and testing, H2GEAR has informed airframer and regulatory body thinking while identifying technologies for exploitation. Follow-on activity will further strengthen the UK’s world-class capabilities in propulsion and fuel system design helping secure future market opportunity and high-value aerospace jobs.”