Project Fresson aims to build 1st hydrogen-powered airliner
We have talked here already about the role Scotland is expected to play in the advancement of green aviation…today is a project named after a historical Scottish aviation pioneer that makes the headlines.
Project Fresson is an interesting project that will see hydrogen fuel cells retrofitted into Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, a type that is able to carry 9 passengers (which is more than enough capacity to cover the needs of some island communities in places like the Orkney islands).
This will be the first commercial implementation of hydrogen propulsion technology in a passenger flight and it could be certified and ready to enter service already by 2024.
Who is behind Project Fresson?
Project Fresson is joint project, led by Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS), the commercial arm of the reputed British aerospace-focused university, and with the participation of a handful of private firms. The fuel cell is the responsibility of Ricardo UK and the hydrogen tanks will be made by Innovatus Technologies Ltd, which has, aptly, named its light-high-pressure gas vessel technology the Scottish Hydrogen Fuel Tank (SHyFT).
Aircraft maker Britten-Norman and the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), the government body that is funding and supporting some of the UK’s most notable aerospace innovation projects, are both also involved in this project.
Rolls-Royce had also been involved in the project early on, but it has already announced its exit (in any case, there is no shortage of green aviation projects Rolls-Royce is invested in).
You can learn more about Project Fresson here.