Story ID: 375
GKN Joins ICEFlight Hydrogen Power Initiative
By: David Donald
Caption: Company adds hydrogen power knowledge to the Netherlands-based initiative
Word Count: 288
GKN Aerospace is a new recruit to the Innovative Cryogenic Electric Flight (ICEFlight) project, an initiative focused on accelerating the maturation of critical cryogenic technologies. The project explores the use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel source as well as a cold source for electrical system cooling.
ICEFlight, centered on the Netherlands, is led by Airbus through its Dutch Tech Hub and the company’s UpNext innovation division via the public-private Luchtvaart in Transitie (LIT) program. Other Dutch companies and institutes involved in ICEFlight include Cryoworld, Stirling Cryogenics, Futura Composites, the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR), and the universities of Delft and Twente. GKN Aerospace’s local contribution will be supported by its UK-based hydrogen capabilities and its experience with current and past hydrogen projects.
GKN’s facility at Papendrecht in the Netherlands has begun delivery of high-voltage electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) to Collins Aerospace’s Electronic Controls and Motor Systems Center in Solihull, England, for another major future propulsion program. Further high-voltage EWIS wiring harnesses will go to Collins’ electric power systems lab—dubbed The Grid—in Rockford, Illinois.
The systems are supporting the Clean Aviation SWITCH program, an EU-supported collaboration involving MTU, Pratt & Whitney, Collins, GKN, and Airbus. The aim is to develop hybrid-electric propulsion technology for short/medium-range commercial aircraft. Collins aims to build megawatt-class generators that will form part of a Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engine due to be tested in Poland.
Meanwhile, GKN Aerospace has secured a five-year extension to its fan blade repair contract with Pratt & Whitney, which also includes International Aero Engines powerplants. The work is performed at facilities in San Diego, California, and Johor, Malaysia.