Three projects run by Rolls-Royce will receive £82.8 million (US$100 million) as part of a £113 million (US$136 million) investment from the UK to progress the development of a zero-emission liquid hydrogen combusting jet engine. The ATI Program is used to distribute the funding.
The ATI Program supports industry-led innovation in civil aerospace manufacturing and technology, fostering the creation of the next generation of ultra-efficient, zero-carbon aircraft and enhancing the UK’s competitiveness in the sector.
The three projects led by Rolls-Royce include:
- A $14.8 million (US$17.8 million) initiative called Hydrogen Engine System Technologies (HYEST) aims to develop technologies and sub-system architecture for the combustor component of a liquid hydrogen gas turbine.
- A project to develop core technologies and an integrated powerplant architecture for a liquid hydrogen gas turbine is called the Robustly Achievable Combustion of Hydrogen Engine Layout (RACHEL), and it will cost £36.6 million (US$44.1 million).
- A project to develop technology for the delivery of a liquid hydrogen fuel system for a hydrogen gas turbine is called the Liquid Hydrogen Gas Turbine (LH2GT), and it will cost £31.4 million (US$37.8 million).
A project lead by Vertical Aerospace will get the remaining £30.8 million (US$37 million) from the ATI Program rewards package. A prototype propulsion battery system is being developed by Category Enhanced Battery Development (CEBD) specifically for aerospace applications, such as the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft being developed by Vertical Aerospace.
