easyJet and Rolls-Royce have completed a ground test of a modified Pearl 15 engine running on 100% hydrogen at full take-off power. The test took place at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
The demonstration proved that a modern jet engine, scalable to power a narrowbody aircraft, can operate safely on gaseous hydrogen across a full simulated flight cycle, including start-up, take-off, cruise and landing. This marks an industry first in hydrogen aviation fuel testing.
The achievement stems from a four-year collaboration between easyJet, Rolls-Royce and global partners, building on earlier milestones. In 2022, the companies ran a Rolls-Royce AE2100 engine on 100% green hydrogen at Boscombe Down in the UK. In 2023, tests on a full annular combustor of a Pearl engine at the German Aerospace Centre in Cologne confirmed combustion at maximum take-off thrust conditions.
Development included component and system rig tests in the UK and Europe, plus a full-scale hydrogen test facility at the UK’s Health and Safety Executive. Modifications addressed fuel replacement, combustion and non-CO2 impacts.
David Morgan, easyJet’s Chief Operating Officer, stated: This industry-first is a real testament to the progress our partnership with Rolls-Royce has achieved, taking hydrogen from early concept through to full engine build and successful testing in just a few years. Demonstrating 100% hydrogen operation at scale is a significant milestone and marks an important step towards easyJet’s net zero ambition.
Adam Newman, Chief Engineer for Rolls-Royce’s Hydrogen Demonstrator Programme, commented: This programme has given us the clearest understanding in the industry of how hydrogen behaves in a modern aero gas turbine. We have validated combustion, fuel and control system technologies, and demonstrated the safe use of hydrogen through design, commissioning, maintenance and testing.
Christine Powell, NASA Stennis Acting Centre Director, said: NASA Stennis has proven to be a go-to location that enables industry to execute specialized testing that their mission requires. This milestone is a great example of how our infrastructure and expertise can be leveraged to advance future technologies.