Cranfield University Awarded Share of £250M to Advance Green Aerospace Technologies

At the recent Paris Air Show, UK Industry Minister Sarah Jones announced a significant funding boost for green aerospace innovation, with Cranfield University and its industry partners set to receive a share of £250 million as part of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy. The funding supports the development of advanced manufacturing and defence technologies, with a clear focus on sustainable aviation.

Welcoming the announcement, Professor Dame Helen Atkinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University’s School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, said:

“UK innovation in aerospace really is world-leading, and this investment will accelerate hydrogen-enabled flight, which could have a transformative impact on aviation carbon emissions.”

Cranfield University is involved in two major projects under this initiative, both centred on its extensive expertise in hydrogen power and materials science.

The first project, Dragonfly, is being delivered in collaboration with Actuation Lab. The aim is to develop a high-performance valve capable of safely controlling the flow of super-cold liquid hydrogen, a crucial step in making zero-emissions hydrogen-powered aircraft a reality. Cranfield’s team will lead on prototype manufacturing, pressure and flow testing, and fatigue analysis to ensure the system meets the highest regulatory standards.

Dr Efstathios Siampis, a lecturer in vehicle electrical and electronic systems and project lead at Cranfield, commented:

“This project is another vital step towards cleaner aviation. The specialist valve we will develop, with safety and performance at the forefront, is a key component in the fuel systems required to support liquid hydrogen in flight.”

The second initiative, known as MACH2INE, is a collaboration with Darvick Ltd and focuses on creating advanced machinery to test materials used in hydrogen-powered aircraft. These machines will be designed to simulate extreme operating conditions, including high temperatures, pressures, and complex mechanical forces, while also measuring hydrogen content and behaviour during testing.

Dr Francesco Fanicchia, a senior lecturer in high-temperature surface engineering at Cranfield and co-lead of the project, said:

“Testing and certification of materials for hydrogen-powered aviation is critical to achieving decarbonisation. Currently, there is no testing system capable of accurately replicating the extreme conditions required by the industry. MACH2INE will provide that capability and accelerate material validation across the UK aerospace sector and beyond.”

This investment not only underpins Cranfield’s leadership in green aviation research but also highlights the UK’s commitment to driving innovation in the transition to low-emission flight technologies. Both projects are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable aerospace and bolstering the UK’s global standing in the sector.