GKN Aerospace and Partners Strengthen UK Capability in Cryogenic and Hydrogen Aerospace Systems

GKN Aerospace and Partners Strengthen UK Capability in Cryogenic and Hydrogen Aerospace Systems

(IN BRIEF) GKN Aerospace has completed H2GEAR, a £54 million programme aimed at advancing the key technologies required for hydrogen-electric, zero-carbon flight. The programme delivered progress in aircraft-level design studies, cryogenic drive systems, high-power electrical networks and fuel-cell propulsion integration. It also helped reduce technical risk for future hydrogen-powered aircraft while strengthening UK expertise in hydrogen-enabled aerospace systems. A major outcome is the creation of HP Drive Technologies Ltd., a joint venture between GKN Aerospace and the University of Nottingham, focused on industrialising advanced cryogenic drive technologies. The work will continue through follow-on programmes including H2FlyGHT in the UK and ICEFLIGHT in the Netherlands.

(PRESS RELEASE) BIRMINGHAM, 20-Jul-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — GKN Aerospace has marked the successful completion of H2GEAR, a £54 million programme focused on advancing the technologies needed for hydrogen-powered, zero-carbon flight.

The programme was co-funded by the ATI Programme, a partnership between the Aerospace Technology Institute, the Department for Business and Trade and Innovate UK.

H2GEAR was delivered by a consortium of industrial and academic partners, including Intelligent Energy, Aeristech, The University of Manchester, the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University.

Over the course of the programme, H2GEAR generated important aircraft-level design insights and delivered significant progress in cryogenic drive systems, high-power electrical network architectures and fuel-cell propulsion system integration.

GKN Aerospace said the project has helped reduce technical risk for future flight applications while strengthening UK capability in the design, manufacture and testing of hydrogen-enabled aerospace systems.

The programme also deepened collaboration between industry and academia. One of its most notable outcomes is the launch of HP Drive Technologies Ltd., a joint venture between GKN Aerospace and the University of Nottingham.

The new company builds on technologies and capabilities developed through H2GEAR and provides a dedicated route to further develop and industrialise advanced cryogenic drive system technologies for future aerospace applications.

GKN Aerospace said HP Drive Technologies represents a tangible legacy of the programme and supports the UK’s leadership in zero-emission aviation technologies.

Russ Dunn, Chief Technology Officer at GKN Aerospace, said H2GEAR has helped move hydrogen-electric propulsion from research ambition toward 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,” said Dunn.

He added that the creation of HP Drive Technologies Ltd. shows how the programme has created lasting industrial capability.

Dunn said GKN Aerospace is now maturing H2GEAR technologies through the follow-on H2FlyGHT and ICEFLIGHT programmes, as the company works with customers to unlock commercially viable, zero-carbon flight.

Jacqueline Castle, Chief Technology Officer at the Aerospace Technology Institute, said H2GEAR has advanced the UK’s understanding of hydrogen fuel-cell aircraft technologies.

She said the knowledge generated through the programme supports the UK’s leadership in zero-carbon emission technologies and contributes to the ambitions set out in the national aerospace technology strategy, Engineering Growth.

Castle added that H2GEAR combined aircraft-level trade studies with detailed subsystem and component design and testing, helping inform airframer and regulatory thinking while identifying technologies with exploitation potential.

She said follow-on activity will further strengthen the UK’s capabilities in propulsion and fuel system design, supporting future market opportunities and high-value aerospace jobs.

The technologies, facilities, skills and industrial partnerships established through H2GEAR are now being taken forward through flagship follow-on investments, including H2FlyGHT in the UK and ICEFLIGHT in the Netherlands.

Together, these initiatives are accelerating the development of multi-megawatt-class hydrogen-electric propulsion systems, incorporating advanced cryogenic power distribution and management technologies.

GKN Aerospace said these capabilities have the potential to transform the future of sustainable aviation by supporting the development of commercially viable zero-carbon aircraft technologies.

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SOURCE: GKN Aerospace