University of Oxford joins FARMAN consortium to advance hydrogen-powered aviation

The University of Oxford has joined the FARMAN consortium, a major European research and innovation project working to advance hydrogen-powered flight.

Led by Safran Aircraft Engines, FARMAN has been selected under Clean Aviation Call 4, part of Europe’s research and innovation programme supporting the development of more sustainable aviation technologies.

The FARMAN project aims to demonstrate a hydrogen distribution system for future aircraft using direct hydrogen combustion. The technology is an important part of efforts to develop a new generation of aircraft capable of operating with significantly reduced emissions.

Selection under Clean Aviation Call 4 will enable FARMAN to move from research towards large-scale ground demonstration. These activities will test and validate the technology under representative operating conditions and help lay the groundwork for future flight demonstrations.

The University of Oxford joins a consortium bringing together leading aerospace companies, research organisations and universities from across Europe. Led by Safran Aircraft Engines, the partnership includes Rolls-Royce, NLR – Netherlands Aerospace Centre, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), ArianeGroup, Vanzetti Engineering, Safran Aero Boosters, Safran Aerosystems, Akira Technologies, the University of Sheffield, Cranfield University, the University of Oxford and Safran Electronics & Defense.

Prof Peter Ireland, leading the University of Oxford’s participation into FARMAN said: “FARMAN is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of hydrogen-powered aviation, and it complements our wider research interests in hydrogen and its potential role in the transition to more sustainable flight.”

Oxford’s participation brings the University’s research expertise into a collaborative European programme addressing one of aviation’s major technological challenges: developing the systems needed to safely and effectively use hydrogen as an aircraft fuel.

FARMAN’s next phase will focus on demonstrating its hydrogen distribution technologies at scale, generating evidence and experience that can support their progression towards future aircraft applications.

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