Swift Aircraft, the visionary company behind the innovative British aerobatic light aircraft called the Swift, has joined forces with a team of British innovators to drive sustainable flight forward. Their collaboration is supported by the Project MONET contract, awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), aimed at demonstrating technologies for achieving net-zero emissions during flight.

Leading the way in groundbreaking sustainable aircraft technology, GKN Aerospace is spearheading the development of a revolutionary liquid hydrogen propulsion system. With their ongoing H2Gear project, funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), GKN Aerospace is already working on a liquid hydrogen solution (LH2) for sub-regional aircraft, with scalability to larger aircraft. Now, in partnership with Swift Aircraft, they are focusing on designing integration concepts for implementing this technology in light aircraft. Despite operating in different sectors of the aviation market, the ambitions of Swift Aircraft and GKN Aerospace align, enabling a comprehensive industry-wide collaboration.

While sustainable aviation efforts have primarily targeted large-scale aircraft, the collaboration between Swift Aircraft and GKN Aerospace through Project MONET brings the light aircraft industry into the spotlight. Light aircraft play a pivotal role in training the multitude of commercial and military pilots needed for the future, making their transition to net-zero emissions crucial for the planet's future. Project MONET, part of the Royal Air Force's net-zero 2040 program, aims to research and develop sustainable aviation technologies for future fleets of military training aircraft. Within this design study, GKN Aerospace is responsible for developing a concept and development plan for the LH2 solution, including aircraft installation, performance analysis, and assessing its impact on flight training, ground handling, and logistics support.

David Stanbridge, Managing Director of Swift Aircraft, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "The introduction of liquid hydrogen power systems to the light aviation market is a tremendous breakthrough, and GKN Aerospace is the perfect partner to explore this opportunity under Project MONET. The aviation industry is set for a monumental shift toward renewable energies in the coming decades, and GKN's unmatched commitment to developing a sustainable aviation future across the industry is truly remarkable. I am thrilled that they have joined Swift to help validate the integration of this technology into a light aircraft system."

Russ Dunn, Chief Technology Officer of GKN Aerospace, emphasized their dedication to enabling sustainable aviation, saying, "We are passionate about ensuring the sustainable growth of aviation. While our focus is on pushing the boundaries of payload and range to maximize the environmental benefits of our technology, we are also proud to collaborate with Swift Aircraft and contribute to the development of liquid hydrogen power solutions for the Royal Air Force. Together with our UK partners, we have the opportunity to shape the future of military aircraft by harnessing the power of hydrogen, enhancing performance, and reducing environmental impact."

About Swift Aircraft: Swift Aircraft is a Norfolk-based SME located at Scottow Enterprise Park (formerly RAF Coltishall). The company aims to produce a sustainable British aircraft that can lead the way in military and commercial aviation globally. It received a DASA Innovation Loan in September 2022 to support the development of the Swift, the first British Elementary Flight Training (EFT) aircraft to take flight in over four decades. Recently, Swift Aircraft won an RAF Rapid Capability Office (RCO) contract as part of Project MONET to demonstrate sustainable technologies. Swift Aircraft is a part of the Swift Technology Group, which comprises innovative design, manufacturing, and engineering companies striving to create sustainable futures across various industries.

 Image: Swift Aircraft and GKN Aerospace are partnering to integrate a revolutionary liquid hydrogen propulsion system into light aircraft, driving the industry-wide shift towards sustainable flight. Credit: GKN Aerospace/Swift Aircraft

Source: GKN Aerospace