Britten-Norman and Cranfield Aerospace to merge with big hydrogen-powered plans
Aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman and hydrogen-electric fuel cell pioneer Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) are set to merge with plans to deliver the “first” OEM sub-regional hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Having signed a Heads of Terms (HoTs) agreement, the merger of the UK companies is due to be complete in mid-2023, subject to final due diligence.
By combining CAeS’ development of a hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system with Britten-Norman aircraft technology, the parties say, “a clear and unambiguous route to market has been created with certification for passenger-carrying service planned for 2026.”
HydrogenOne Capital Growth is set to lead a funding round, with a consortium of CAeS investors made up of HydrogenOne, Safran Corporate Ventures, and Strategic Development Fund (SDF), due to invest up to £10m ($12.4m) in the new company, including an investment of up to £5m ($6.2m) from HydrogenOne once the merger is finalised.
The new company is planned to respond to the growing demand from airlines and operators for an OEM-backed aircraft that will enable zero-emission commercial flight.
William Hynett, Chief Executive of Britten-Norman said the merger will create a new market leader in green aircraft.
“This investment will give a huge boost to UK aviation export and will deliver the first OEM sub-regional aircraft powered by hydrogen” said Hynett. “This merger will create many new high tech and manufacturing roles across the new business and a host of opportunities for apprenticeships and graduate placements in the sustainable aerospace sector.”
In the first instance, the CAeS-Britten-Norman company will focus on developing the Islander aircraft, however the company’s ambitions extends beyond the nine-seat aircraft and the sub-regional market, with intentions to design and manufacture new ‘clean sheet’ aircraft up to 100 seats, powered by zero-carbon technology.
Since 2021, CAeS has spearheaded a UK project to retrofit Britten-Norman’s nine-passenger Islander aircraft with a hydrogen fuel cell system.
“This deal accelerates our roadmap for the introduction of new zero-emission aircraft,” said Paul Hutton, Chief Executive of CAeS. “As other sectors decarbonise quickly, it is imperative that the aviation industry accelerates its own transition to new, clean aircraft.”
“Looking to the future we will use the combined experience of Cranfield Aerospace and Britten-Norman to produce an entirely new aircraft design, optimised around hydrogen fuel cell technology,” Hutton added.
Simon Hogan, Chairman of HydrogenOne, said, “We are very proud to have led this funding round that will create a new leader in green aircraft manufacturing in the UK. Our commitment to investing in clean hydrogen for a positive environmental impact is central to this investment that will contribute towards moving global aviation towards zero-emissions operations.”
Speaking to H2 View for its April aviation magazine, Prof. Iain Gray, Director of Aerospace at Cranfield University stressed the need for players across the aviation ecosystem to work together to realise commercial hydrogen-powered flight.
“We need people all working together with a unified approach on a global level, which is where the big players can play a part because they’re a galvanising partner in terms of bringing the supply chain along with them,” Gray said.
