Rolls-Royce receives €128 million to develop groundbreaking new jet engine

Aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has received a €128 million investment boost for the development of a groundbreaking new jet engine. The zero-emission liquid hydrogen combusting jet engine that the British company is to develop could revolutionise flying.

The cash injection by the British government is intended to offer a much-desired push towards the development of a new hydrogen-powered aircraft engine, that may eventually play a role in the decarbonisation of flying. The investment is being used to develop lightweight batteries for small aircraft and projects being led by Rolls-Royce to develop the new jet engine.

According to a report by Express, Rolls-Royce announced in 2022 that it closed a deal with South Korean automaker Hyundai to develop all-electric propulsion and hydrogen fuel cell technology for the advanced air mobility market. According to Rolls-Royce, hydrogen and electric-powered aircraft are the future of air travel. The company stated that this technology will “prove the fuel can safely and efficiently deliver power for small- to mid-size aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards”.

Hydrogen is expected to be a vital technology for the aviation industry. However, concerns have been raised over the commercial viability of hydrogen generation, particularly for the production of green hydrogen. Nevertheless, Rolls-Royce considers hydrogen to be one of the tools available for the sector to get to zero carbon aviation and therefore we have to explore that route.”