Reaction Engines and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions are to explore additional aerospace applications for their jointly developed zero-emission propulsion technology.
The two UK aerospace companies have signed an agreement which builds on an existing R&D partnership and aims to develop applications for their hydrogen fuel cell-based powertrain design, including system integration capabilities for sustainable aerospace platforms.
Tom Burvill, director of applied technologies, Reaction Engines said, “Reaction Engines is delighted to be expanding our collaboration with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions which marks a further step forward in the development of sustainable aviation propulsion applications for our world-leading thermal management technology.
“This agreement builds on the close working relationship the two companies have established on Project Fresson and this establishes a firm framework to develop new uses for our game-changing technology.”
Reaction Engines has been working with Cranfield Aerospace since October 2021 on Project Freeson, a UK Government-funded program to develop a hydrogen fuel-cell powered aircraft.
Reaction is developing its synergetic air-breathing rocket engine (SABRE) for hypersonic flight applications and and for reusable spacecraft. The company has developed cooling technology for SABRE it hopes to find other applications for.
Jenny Kavanagh, chief strategy officer, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions said, “Since our initial collaboration began in 2021, the alliance between the two companies has flourished, with CAeS benefiting from Reaction Engine’s advanced thermal management expertise, and Reaction Engines leveraging CAeS’ comprehensive route to market for the technology enabled by our integration and certification capabilities.
“This latest agreement demonstrates the power of mutually beneficial collaboration and significantly expands our joint efforts to unlock new applications for our innovative hydrogen fuel cell technology.”
