FutureFlight
Cranfield Aerospace Draws Fresh Funding from UAE and California-based Investors
CAeS has now drawn £14.4 million for the development of a hydrogen propulsion system meant to power 19-seat commuter aircraft.
B-N Islander
Currently powered with a pair of piston or turboprop engines, the ubiquitous Britten-Norman Islander could run on hydrogen propulsion by 2025. (Photo: Britten-Norman)

A month after signing a letter of intent with German start-up airline Evia Aero to supply 10 hydrogen fuel cell conversion kits for Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, the UK’s Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) has seen its current investment round increase to £14.4 million with a fresh funding injection by the Tawazun Economic Council of the UAE and California-based Motus Ventures, Cranfield Aerospace said on Friday.

CAeS has worked on its new propulsion system since 2019 and has received UK government funding through Project Fresson. While the company initially planned to produce a hybrid-electric power system, it abandoned that plan last year in favor of using hydrogen fuel cells with wing-mounted fuel tanks instead, as it determined that the hybrid system would not be viable for its performance objectives.