Contributor - UK

David Donald

GKN Aerospace is a new recruit to the Innovative Cryogenic Electric Flight (ICEFlight) project, an initiative focused on accelerating the maturation of critical cryogenic technologies. The project explores the use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel source as well as a cold source for electrical system cooling.
ICEFlight, centered on the Netherlands, is led by Airbus through its Dutch Tech Hub and the company’s UpNext innovation division via the public-private Luchtvaart in Transitie (LIT) program. Other Dutch companies and institutes involved in ICEFlight include Cryoworld, Stirling Cryogenics, Futura Composites, the National Aerospace Laboratory&nbsp;(NLR), and the universities of Delft and Twente. GKN Aerospace’s local contribution will be supported by its UK-based hydrogen capabilities and its experience with current and past hydrogen projects.
GKN’s facility at Papendrecht in the Netherlands has begun delivery of high-voltage electrical wiring interconnection systems&nbsp;(EWIS) to Collins Aerospace’s Electronic Controls and Motor Systems Center in Solihull, England, for another major future propulsion program. Further high-voltage EWIS wiring harnesses will go to Collins’ electric power systems lab—dubbed The Grid—in Rockford, Illinois.
The systems are supporting the Clean Aviation SWITCH program, an EU-supported collaboration involving MTU, Pratt &amp; Whitney, Collins, GKN, and Airbus. The aim is to develop hybrid-electric propulsion technology for short/medium-range commercial aircraft. Collins aims to build megawatt-class generators that will form part of a Pratt &amp; Whitney geared turbofan engine due to be tested in Poland.
Meanwhile, GKN Aerospace has secured a five-year extension to its fan blade repair contract with Pratt &amp; Whitney, which also includes International Aero Engines powerplants. The work is performed at facilities in San Diego, California, and Johor, Malaysia.

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In this article

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