Rolls-Royce and EasyJet Complete Full Flight Cycle Test of Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft Engine

Rolls-Royce and EasyJet have completed a full flight cycle test of a hydrogen-powered aircraft engine designed for single-aisle commercial jets. The test was conducted at NASA's Stennis Space Centre in Mississippi and utilized an adapted Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine operating on 100% hydrogen fuel.

The engine demonstrated operational capability across all stages of flight, including start-up, cruise, landing, and take-off. The test represents a progression in hydrogen aviation development, building on the companies' previous milestones: a 2023 test of an annular combustor operating on 100% hydrogen and a November 2022 hydrogen run of a modern aero engine, which was described as a world first at the time.

The successful completion of the full flight cycle test indicates that hydrogen-fuelled engines can operate across the power requirements needed for commercial aircraft operations.

Originally reported by Hydrogen Europe. Read the full article →