Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

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GKN Aerospace plans to lead a collaboration between industry and academia to develop a new hydrogen propulsion system for small “sub-regional” aircraft. Initially, the H2GEAR system will power new and existing aircraft seating up to 19 passengers, but the aerospace group says it could subsequently be scaled up for use on larger airliners.

 


The UK-based project is backed by an evenly-shared £54 million ($73 million) joint investment by GKN, along with its partners and the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Program partners include fuel cell specialist Intelligent Energy, electric motors and control systems group Aeristech, Newcastle University, the University of Manchester, and the University of Birmingham.

 


The H2GEAR system will convert liquid hydrogen to electricity in fuel cells, in turn powering electric motors that will drive either ducted fans or propellers.

 


According to GKN, the first hydrogen-powered aircraft could be ready to enter service in 2026. The company says it has had contact with several unnamed existing aircraft manufacturers, as well as startups and airlines.

 


The program will be based at GKN Aerospace’s new £32 million Global Technology Centre at Bristol in southwest England. The partners say it could create more than 3,000 new jobs over the next decade.

 


“Hydrogen-powered aircraft offer a clear route to keep the world connected, with dramatically cleaner skies,” said GKN Aerospace chief technology officer Russ Dunn.

 


GKN Aerospace is a major tier-one supplier, providing sub-systems and components for a wide variety of aircraft and aero-engine manufacturers. The group specializes in lightweight composite aerostructures, additive manufacturing, engine systems, and smart transparencies (such as aircraft windows).

 


UK business minister Paul Scully announced the BEIS’s £27 million funding for H2GEAR on Thursday. The UK government has also committed to&nbsp;giving a £2.8 million grant to Inception (part of Blue Bear Systems Research) to develop an all-electric propulsion system for smaller eVTOL aircraft.

 


In December 2020, BEIS awarded a £12.3 million grant through the Aerospace Technology Institute to California-based hydrogen ZeroAvia, which is working on a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain for aircraft with up to 19 seats. The HyFlyer II program,&nbsp;based at the UK’s Cranfield aerospace research hub, also involves Aeristech and the European Marine Energy Centre in Scotland.

 


This story is from FutureFlight.aero, a news and information resource developed by&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;to provide objective, independent coverage, and analysis of cutting-edge aviation technology, including electric aircraft developments and advanced air mobility.

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