Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • EasyJet and Rolls-Royce pioneer hydrogen engine combustion tech

Aerospace

EasyJet and Rolls-Royce pioneer hydrogen engine combustion tech

EasyJet and Rolls-Royce today announced a ground-breaking new partnership, H2ZERO, that will pioneer the development of hydrogen combustion engine technology capable of powering a range of aircraft, including those in the narrow-body market segment.


Image courtesy Rolls-Royce

Both companies have committed to working together on a series of engine tests on the ground, starting later this year and have a shared ambition to take the technology into the air. The objective of the partnership is to demonstrate that hydrogen has the potential to power a range of aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

While Rolls-Royce will bring its expertise in engine development and combustion systems, easyJet will contribute its operational knowledge and experience to H2ZERO and will also directly invest in the test programme.

Through H2ZERO, the companies will support an early concept ground test of a Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engine in the UK later this year. This will be followed by a full-scale ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine - a range of location options are being assessed for this including the Rolls-Royce test facility in Mississippi, USA. The programme will build on initial hydrogen combustion and fuel system rig tests that Rolls-Royce is undertaking with both Cranfield and Loughborough universities.

H2ZERO is inspired by the global, UN-backed Race to Zero campaign that both companies have signed up to, committing to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.The agreement announced today follows a research project that both companies began in 2021, developing market analysis, driving specifications, investigating infrastructure and regulatory requirements to support the use of hydrogen in aviation. 

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said: “In order to achieve net zero by 2050, we have always said that radical action is needed to address aviation’s climate impact. That’s why today, we are so pleased to announce this partnership with Rolls-Royce. The technology that emerges from this programme has the potential to power easyJet-size aircraft, which is why we will also be making a multi-million pound investment into this programme. In order to achieve decarbonisation at scale, progress on the development of zero emission technology for narrowbody aircraft is crucial. Together with RollsRoyce we look forward to leading the industry to tackle this challenge head-on.”

Advertisement
Teledyne

Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, Rolls-Royce, said: “H2ZERO is a big step forward for Rolls-Royce and we are excited to be working with a partner that shares a desire to innovate and find new answers to aviation’s biggest challenges. We at Rolls-Royce want to be ready to pioneer sustainability with whatever the future requires, be it hydrogen, electric power, sustainable aviation fuel, or gas turbine efficiency. This agreement further inspires us to move forward.”

The H2ZERO partnership has also been created in response to detailed studies and market research – including the UK Aerospace Technology Institute’s Fly Zero team and Project NAPKIN (New Aviation Propulsion Knowledge and Innovation Network) - which both concluded there is market potential for hydrogen-powered aircraft.

 

Siemens and NVIDIA team to drive AI in advanced manufacturing

Aerospace Defence Security

Siemens and NVIDIA team to drive AI in advanced manufacturing

2 July 2025

Siemens and NVIDIA are expanding their partnership to accelerate the next era of industrial AI and digitalisation, towards enabling the factory of the future.

Marshall completes sale of Slingsby Advanced Composites to Mangohojden AB

Aerospace Defence

Marshall completes sale of Slingsby Advanced Composites to Mangohojden AB

2 July 2025

Marshall has announced the completion of the sale of its subsidiary, Slingsby Advanced Composites Ltd., to Mangohojden AB, formerly known as Goldcup 101485 AB, a privately held Swedish company seeking to develop a group of specialist aerospace and defence businesses.

Manchester Airport to Mumbai route set to provide economic boost

Aerospace

Manchester Airport to Mumbai route set to provide economic boost

2 July 2025

A new route between Manchester Airport and Mumbai – India’s financial capital – will deliver an economic boost worth hundreds of millions to the North over the next three years, research out today reveals.

Aircraft order backlog hits record 16,073

Aerospace

Aircraft order backlog hits record 16,073

2 July 2025

Commercial aircraft orders increased by almost 900% in May 2025 compared to May 2024, pushing the total aircraft backlog to a record 16,073 – the first time it has ever exceeded 16,000, according to ADS.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Lucideon and MTC enter strategic partnership

Aerospace Defence

Lucideon and MTC enter strategic partnership

1 July 2025

Development and commercialisation organisation (DCO) specialising in advanced materials, Lucideon, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to drive next-gen performance in advanced ceramics.

Teledyne FLIR OEM unveils brand and website update

Aerospace Defence Security

Teledyne FLIR OEM unveils brand and website update

1 July 2025

Teledyne FLIR OEM, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, today announced the strategic evolution of the Teledyne FLIR OEM brand.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT