Public Funding for HS Marston Aerospace Limited

SWITCH aims to answer the challenge of climate-neutral short-medium range air transport by developing a revolutionary sustainable gas turbine propulsion system – the hybrid Water-Enhanced Turbofan (hybrid WET). It boosts WET technology with hybridization (Electrical Aircraft Propulsion – EAP) to improve energy efficiency by 25% and reduce climate impact by 75% (using net zero-CO2 sustainable aviation fuel, 50% with conventional Jet-A kerosene) compared to a state-of-the-art engine. It is the only concept to significantly reduce all three major warming effects on our climate: CO2 through unmatched efficiency, NOx through water injection in the combustor, and contrails through particle removal and water recovery. Local air quality and noise levels around airports are improved through electric taxiing. The hybrid WET is fully compatible with drop-in SAF and could also be adapted to burn hydrogen. It addresses all climate-notable market segments: Short-, medium- and long-range. The SWITCH project will meet this challenge with a global consortium, through an unprecedented programmatic effort between airframer, engine and system OEMs, key tier 1 suppliers and leading researchers in combustion and propulsion, leveraging relevant and effective synergies between European and national programs. SWITCH will mature the hybrid WET’s two key innovation concepts by 2025: The WET engine to technology readiness level (TRL) 4 through validation of its key enabling technologies and the EAP system to TRL 5 through flight-ready engine ground demonstration of the full propulsion system. Results from SWITCH will reinforce confidence in the climate reduction potential of the hybrid WET propulsion system and form the technological foundation to achieve TRL 6 by 2030. This will enable the innovation to enter into the market by 2035 on a new short-medium range aircraft to significantly reduce aviation’s climate impact towards the European Green Deal’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Fuel Architecture and Systems Technology (FAST) is a significant collaboration that will develop future Fuel System Technology The collaboration with Eaton, UTC Aerospace, Cobham, Zodiac, Parker, Stanhope-Seta, Cardiff University, Manchester University, The University of Sheffield and Swansea University brings together most of the key worldwide Aviation Fuel System experts. The Project will focus on key Fuel system technologies to meet demanding aircraft and environmental performance targets. The key customer will be the Wing of the Future where the fuel system forms a key part of the wing design and performance target and has critical interdependencies. The project will foster close collaboration between Airbus, Academia and the wider UK supply chain to focus efforts within the UK on developing industry leading aerospace fuel system technology.

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