Project HEART: Hydrogen Electric and Automated Regional Transportation
Lead Participant:
BLUE BEAR SYSTEMS RESEARCH LTD
Abstract
The consortium's vision for _HEART_ (**_H_**_ydrogen**-**_ **_E_**lectric and **_A_**utomated **_R_**egional **_T_**ransportation) is to develop a sub-regional air transportation network that is _zero carbon_, _affordable_, _scalable_ and _safer_ and with a targeted entry into service in 2025\. Consortium partners include: Blue Bear, ZeroAvia, Loganair, HIAL, Britten-Norman, Inmarsat, Protium, Weston Williamson + Partners, Fleet-on-demand and Edinburgh Napier University.
Project HEART is aimed at sub-regional aviation (9-19 PAX aircraft, <500NM). Today's operations are economically uncompetitive due to the high operating costs of the aircraft relative to the number of seats and labour-intensive ground operations amongst other factors. By introducing state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the consortium will unlock a sub-regional air travel market that will avoid major congested airports and instead utilise the \>100 licensed airfields around the UK. Passengers can then experience shorter door-to-door travel times, cheaper ticket prices, and a zero-carbon travel option.
The key enablers that the HEART consortium will develop during the Future Flight Challenge to unlock this market are:
* Novel aircraft with hydrogen fuel cell powertrains and on-board automation (to reduce pilot workload and enable remote support) that will significantly reduce marginal cost of operations.
* Green hydrogen infrastructure (production, storage, handling and refuelling) to support and sustain full scale operations together with a skilled workforce to operate and maintain this infrastructure and aircraft.
* Single (not two) pilot operations through use of next generation digital towers and remote co-piloting stations to assist pilots during high workload situations which, in turn, enable higher operational safety and scalability within a high-volume network.
* Use of a hybrid connectivity solution which combines high bandwidth terrestrial networks (3G/5G) with high-reliability satellite communications to support remote co-piloting and mission critical communication in the cockpit, as well as additional revenue streams from in-cabin use.
* Use of autonomous ground robots to 'guide' aircraft, automate baggage loading/unloading and handle refuelling operations. This will increase operational safety, reduce operating costs and enable scale-up of operations.
* Radical new aircraft terminal designs that are low-cost, modular and scalable. These terminals will ensure quick intermodal transfers for passengers and automated infrastructure.
* Integration of the HEART network with other transportation modes through mobility-as-a-services solutions to enable fast intermodal transfers, door-to-door journeys and 'just-in-time' operator models. Other modes to include existing first/last mile options such as buses and taxis and future solutions such as eVTOLs.
* Addressing social acceptance issues such as 'perceived safety of hydrogen powertrains', 'remote co-pilot operations' and understanding the various levers that will affect public perception of these technologies.
In Phase 2, the consortium will undertake various proof-of-concept demonstrations to work towards a certifiable commercial demonstration at the end of Phase 3\. The two phases of the Future Flight Challenge project will fast track market readiness by 2025 and full deployment in the UK between 2025 and 2030\.
Project HEART is aimed at sub-regional aviation (9-19 PAX aircraft, <500NM). Today's operations are economically uncompetitive due to the high operating costs of the aircraft relative to the number of seats and labour-intensive ground operations amongst other factors. By introducing state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the consortium will unlock a sub-regional air travel market that will avoid major congested airports and instead utilise the \>100 licensed airfields around the UK. Passengers can then experience shorter door-to-door travel times, cheaper ticket prices, and a zero-carbon travel option.
The key enablers that the HEART consortium will develop during the Future Flight Challenge to unlock this market are:
* Novel aircraft with hydrogen fuel cell powertrains and on-board automation (to reduce pilot workload and enable remote support) that will significantly reduce marginal cost of operations.
* Green hydrogen infrastructure (production, storage, handling and refuelling) to support and sustain full scale operations together with a skilled workforce to operate and maintain this infrastructure and aircraft.
* Single (not two) pilot operations through use of next generation digital towers and remote co-piloting stations to assist pilots during high workload situations which, in turn, enable higher operational safety and scalability within a high-volume network.
* Use of a hybrid connectivity solution which combines high bandwidth terrestrial networks (3G/5G) with high-reliability satellite communications to support remote co-piloting and mission critical communication in the cockpit, as well as additional revenue streams from in-cabin use.
* Use of autonomous ground robots to 'guide' aircraft, automate baggage loading/unloading and handle refuelling operations. This will increase operational safety, reduce operating costs and enable scale-up of operations.
* Radical new aircraft terminal designs that are low-cost, modular and scalable. These terminals will ensure quick intermodal transfers for passengers and automated infrastructure.
* Integration of the HEART network with other transportation modes through mobility-as-a-services solutions to enable fast intermodal transfers, door-to-door journeys and 'just-in-time' operator models. Other modes to include existing first/last mile options such as buses and taxis and future solutions such as eVTOLs.
* Addressing social acceptance issues such as 'perceived safety of hydrogen powertrains', 'remote co-pilot operations' and understanding the various levers that will affect public perception of these technologies.
In Phase 2, the consortium will undertake various proof-of-concept demonstrations to work towards a certifiable commercial demonstration at the end of Phase 3\. The two phases of the Future Flight Challenge project will fast track market readiness by 2025 and full deployment in the UK between 2025 and 2030\.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
Participant |
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| BLUE BEAR SYSTEMS RESEARCH LTD |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Michael Gadd (Project Manager) |