A consortium of UK aerospace leaders, backed by academic expertise, has unveiled the ambitious HyFIVE project.
With an initial funding injection of nearly £40 million, the consortium aims to spearhead the development of a cutting-edge hydrogen fuel system and supply chain, positioning the UK at the forefront of zero-emission aviation by the 2030s.
HyFIVE brings together industry giants Marshall, GKN Aerospace, and Parker Meggitt, alongside academic heavyweights from the University of Manchester, the University of Bath, and Cardiff University. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s announcement of the project’s £40 million funding marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s pursuit of cleaner, greener air travel.
At the heart of the HyFIVE consortium lies a mission to develop, test, and validate a modular, scalable cryogenic hydrogen fuel system architecture. This groundbreaking system, designed to accommodate multiple aircraft classes, can seamlessly integrate with either hydrogen electric propulsion or hydrogen combustion powertrains.
The collaboration is structured around five crucial aspects of technology development for hydrogen fuel systems: storage, conveyance, indication, fuelling, and venting. This comprehensive approach ensures a holistic solution, addressing the entire spectrum of challenges associated with hydrogen-powered aviation.
With a meticulously planned technical program spanning several years, HyFIVE aims to achieve significant milestones by 2027. These include the development and validation of a mature fuel system, ground demonstration of an integrated fuel system, and the establishment of flight demonstration paths with prospective customers. The consortium envisions a customer-ready supply chain and industrialization strategy to support the introduction of zero-emission aircraft in the 2030s.
