Paul Hutton, CAeS chief executive, stated: “We now have a very sophisticated hydrogen fuel cell system that we believe delivers the highest available energy density, which means we can be sure of producing 100% or more of the energy of the engines it is replacing, not just 40 to 50% as is the case with other systems.”
During fundraising efforts, CAeS refined packaging for propulsion components while addressing thermal management challenges. Hutton described their progress: “What we’ve got now is a miracle of packing... So we’ve got full power at the right weight, fully packaged and with a way to get rid of the heat. No one else has done that.”
Potential customers for these hydrogen-powered Islanders include Loganair from the UK, Monte Aircraft Leasing, Germany's Evia Aero start-up, and U.S.-based Stratus 9 fractional aircraft provider. Collaborating with Britten-Norman and other suppliers allows CAeS to source in-service aircraft for conversion.
In October 2023, Dronamics agreed to acquire 1,290 CAeS propulsion systems for integration into its Black Swan uncrewed cargo aircraft under development. At Farnborough International Airshow, CAeS presented a three-dimensional model of this propulsion system.
Simultaneously, discussions continue with airlines interested in replacing APUs responsible for significant carbon dioxide emissions during ground operations at airports. Hydrogen propulsion units ranging from 125-500 kilowatts could meet current airliner APU needs within existing space constraints.
Hutton emphasized CAeS’s advantage stemming from decades-long experience providing complex aircraft modifications approved by major industry players like Airbus and Boeing: "Initially... [we] will likely seek early adopters... by marketing our own supplemental type certificate."
The prolonged fundraising period allowed time for reconsidering business models amidst challenging capital markets affecting aviation start-ups globally—specifically regarding gaseous versus liquid hydrogen usage options previously considered viable alternatives despite sourcing/storage complexities associated therewith; however recent developments suggest otherwise per Hutton's remarks: "If anything...[these] challenges have got worse because increased doubts over availability..."
CAeS collaborates closely alongside Cranfield University's Hydrogen Incubator Hub—an initiative receiving £69 million public-private finance backing entities including Airbus/Marshall/GKN plus UK government support via Research Partnership Investment Fund contributions toward advancing sustainable aviation technologies worldwide today!
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