Rolls-Royce easyJet World First
First aero engine running on hydrogen
Demonstration unit for the hydrogen aero turbine engine. Credit: Rolls Royce.
Rolls-Royce and easyJet today confirmed they have set a new aviation milestone with the world’s first run of a modern aero engine on hydrogen. The ground test was conducted on an early concept demonstrator. Both companies set out to prove that hydrogen can safely and efficiently deliver power for civil aero engines.
The test took place at an outdoor test facility at MoD Boscombe Down, UK, using a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A regional aircraft engine. Following analysis of this early concept ground test, the partnership plans a series of further rig tests leading up to a full-scale ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine.
