“Aerospace market leader” raises £10m in bid to deliver zero-emissions passenger flights

London headquartered HydrogenOne Capital Growth PLC and Safran Corporate Ventures have announced a common investment in Cranfield Aerospace Solutions Ltd as part of a £10m funding round.

HydrogenOne is investing a total of £7m in the funding round. With this purchase of a minority equity stake, each company has the right to a board seat at CAeS.

CAeS is an “aerospace market leader” in the design and manufacture of new aircraft design concepts, complex modifications to existing aircraft, and integration of “cutting-edge technologies” to meet the most challenging issues facing the aerospace industry today.

The company has shifted its focus to Project Fresson, the unlocking of commercial hydrogen-electric propulsion flight. In the early stages, CAeS will focus on CAA certification of the Britten-Norman Islander passenger aircraft using hydrogen fuel cell power.

In parallel with its investment, Safran will work with CAeS spanning the area of hydrogen fuel cell powered electric propulsion for aviation.

Simon Hogan, chairman of HydrogenOne, said “Today is an important moment for us as the successful decarbonisation of flight is an imperative in order to reach ‘net zero’. We believe that Cranfield Aerospace has the team and the strategy to facilitate clean flight through the application of technology and innovation.

“This investment and this technological partnership confirm Safran’s strategy in net zero aviation and contribute to make Safran a competitive actor for the development of fuel cells for aircraft”, commented Ghislaine Doukhan, CEO of Safran Power Units

Paul Hutton, CAeS CEO, added: “we are very excited to welcome our new investors, HydrogenOne and Safran, on our journey to realise the world’s first fully certified zero-emissions passenger carrying flights.

“As we prepare for ground and flight testing this backing by our investors will enable us to accelerate delivery of our flying demonstrator in 2023 and certified aircraft in 2025.’’

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