HEART (Hydrogen- Electric and Automated Regional Transportation) is a programme that will demonstrate a viable regional transport network that is zero carbon, affordable, scalable and safe. It is aimed at sub-regional aviation (typically using 9-19 passenger aircraft, with circa 100 licensed airfields around the UK) with an objective to enable a commercially viable, innovative and eco-friendly network that provides a passenger experience giving door-to-door travel options, improved convenience, flexibility and travel information along with visibility of carbon footprint. The HEART programme will create a compound demonstration and vision of a 'Day-in-the-life' of a deployed network, culminating in flight trials utilising aircraft with hydrogen-electric powertrain, autonomous pilot control and support systems, as well as other key technologies that better account for the needs of travellers and support them throughout their journey. The HEART programme will address the following key areas: * Aircraft with hydrogen fuel cell and electric powertrains and on-board automation in order to significantly reduce cost of operations and help improve operational reliability. * Implementation of green hydrogen infrastructure (production storage and refuelling) with consideration of transport and distribution solutions, along with developing a skilled workforce to operate and maintain the infrastructure and aircraft. * Use of aircraft control automation, including pilot assistance pilot during high workload; enabling higher operational safety and scalability. * Use of hybrid connectivity solutions to assist in datalink operation, mission critical communication, as well as providing in-cabin passenger services. * Integration of the HEART network with other transportation modes through mobility-as-a-services solutions to enable fast transfers across new and legacy transport modes. Dynamic in-journey support to simplify and smooth the travel experience. * Use of autonomous ground systems to 'guide' aircraft, automate baggage and cargo loading/unloading and handle refuelling operations, increasing operational safety, reducing operating costs and enabling scale-up of operations. * New, low-cost, modular and scalable airport terminal technology concepts brought to life through simulation, modelling and technical demonstrations to demonstrate enhanced passenger experience. * Understanding and addressing societal concerns such as safety of hydrogen-electric powertrains, dependence on new levels of automation and technologies. These facets of demonstration, simulation and analysis will be brought together in a compound narrative called the 'HEART Mosaic' to show the full 'Day in the Life' picture of the network operation, which will be published through various media and engagement methods to show the journey HEART has taken, and how it will develop to serve people in the future.

HEART (Hydrogen- Electric and Automated Regional Transportation) is a programme that will demonstrate a viable regional transport network that is zero carbon, affordable, scalable and safe. It is aimed at sub-regional aviation (typically using 9-19 passenger aircraft, with circa 100 licensed airfields around the UK) with an objective to enable a commercially viable, innovative and eco-friendly network that provides a passenger experience giving door-to-door travel options, improved convenience, flexibility and travel information along with visibility of carbon footprint. The HEART programme will create a compound demonstration and vision of a 'Day-in-the-life' of a deployed network, culminating in flight trials utilising aircraft with hydrogen-electric powertrain, autonomous pilot control and support systems, as well as other key technologies that better account for the needs of travellers and support them throughout their journey. The HEART programme will address the following key areas: * Aircraft with hydrogen fuel cell and electric powertrains and on-board automation in order to significantly reduce cost of operations and help improve operational reliability. * Implementation of green hydrogen infrastructure (production storage and refuelling) with consideration of transport and distribution solutions, along with developing a skilled workforce to operate and maintain the infrastructure and aircraft. * Use of aircraft control automation, including pilot assistance pilot during high workload; enabling higher operational safety and scalability. * Use of hybrid connectivity solutions to assist in datalink operation, mission critical communication, as well as providing in-cabin passenger services. * Integration of the HEART network with other transportation modes through mobility-as-a-services solutions to enable fast transfers across new and legacy transport modes. Dynamic in-journey support to simplify and smooth the travel experience. * Use of autonomous ground systems to 'guide' aircraft, automate baggage and cargo loading/unloading and handle refuelling operations, increasing operational safety, reducing operating costs and enabling scale-up of operations. * New, low-cost, modular and scalable airport terminal technology concepts brought to life through simulation, modelling and technical demonstrations to demonstrate enhanced passenger experience. * Understanding and addressing societal concerns such as safety of hydrogen-electric powertrains, dependence on new levels of automation and technologies. These facets of demonstration, simulation and analysis will be brought together in a compound narrative called the 'HEART Mosaic' to show the full 'Day in the Life' picture of the network operation, which will be published through various media and engagement methods to show the journey HEART has taken, and how it will develop to serve people in the future.

The consortium's vision for _HEART_ (**_H_**_ydrogen**-**_ **_E_**lectric and **_A_**utomated **_R_**egional **_T_**ransportation) is to develop a sub-regional air transportation network that is _zero carbon_, _affordable_, _scalable_ and _safer_ and with a targeted entry into service in 2025\. Consortium partners include: Blue Bear, ZeroAvia, Loganair, HIAL, Britten-Norman, Inmarsat, Protium, Weston Williamson + Partners, Fleet-on-demand and Edinburgh Napier University. Project HEART is aimed at sub-regional aviation (9-19 PAX aircraft, <500NM). Today's operations are economically uncompetitive due to the high operating costs of the aircraft relative to the number of seats and labour-intensive ground operations amongst other factors. By introducing state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the consortium will unlock a sub-regional air travel market that will avoid major congested airports and instead utilise the \>100 licensed airfields around the UK. Passengers can then experience shorter door-to-door travel times, cheaper ticket prices, and a zero-carbon travel option. The key enablers that the HEART consortium will develop during the Future Flight Challenge to unlock this market are: * Novel aircraft with hydrogen fuel cell powertrains and on-board automation (to reduce pilot workload and enable remote support) that will significantly reduce marginal cost of operations. * Green hydrogen infrastructure (production, storage, handling and refuelling) to support and sustain full scale operations together with a skilled workforce to operate and maintain this infrastructure and aircraft. * Single (not two) pilot operations through use of next generation digital towers and remote co-piloting stations to assist pilots during high workload situations which, in turn, enable higher operational safety and scalability within a high-volume network. * Use of a hybrid connectivity solution which combines high bandwidth terrestrial networks (3G/5G) with high-reliability satellite communications to support remote co-piloting and mission critical communication in the cockpit, as well as additional revenue streams from in-cabin use. * Use of autonomous ground robots to 'guide' aircraft, automate baggage loading/unloading and handle refuelling operations. This will increase operational safety, reduce operating costs and enable scale-up of operations. * Radical new aircraft terminal designs that are low-cost, modular and scalable. These terminals will ensure quick intermodal transfers for passengers and automated infrastructure. * Integration of the HEART network with other transportation modes through mobility-as-a-services solutions to enable fast intermodal transfers, door-to-door journeys and 'just-in-time' operator models. Other modes to include existing first/last mile options such as buses and taxis and future solutions such as eVTOLs. * Addressing social acceptance issues such as 'perceived safety of hydrogen powertrains', 'remote co-pilot operations' and understanding the various levers that will affect public perception of these technologies. In Phase 2, the consortium will undertake various proof-of-concept demonstrations to work towards a certifiable commercial demonstration at the end of Phase 3\. The two phases of the Future Flight Challenge project will fast track market readiness by 2025 and full deployment in the UK between 2025 and 2030\.