On 11th May 2022 the Worshipful Company of Engineers, in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, The Worshipful Company of Insurers and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots held a fascinating debate on the future of air vehicles.
A distinguished panel of experts from the UK aerospace sector (see photo), including government and industry representatives from BEIS and ATI, and chaired by Jenny Body, Past President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, gave an overview of how the industry was developing, covering a range of challenges including emission targets, sustainable fuel sources, net zero, novel architectures, urban mobility (such as air taxis) and social imperatives. The discussion was then opened to the floor.
Notable highlights from the discussion include:
- The future of air vehicles is changing, and striving to meet net zero targets. Aircraft must also be designed to be recyclable, with a pressing need to move away from carbon-based fuels. The technology is moving quickly, but must deal with the complexity of certification – innovation isn’t enough unless it’s proven and demonstrated
- The pandemic has caused many challenges – quite when we get back to 2019 flying numbers is anybody’s guess, but it is getting busier and net zero by 2050 is the number one target
- Some sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are bio-derived which risk competing with the food supply, so other ways of deriving the fuel will be required. To hit net zero by 2050 will require multiple approaches. SAF will be a major contributor in the short term and major companies have already demonstrated flights on 100% SAF
- Hydrogen is seen as the longer term solution to get to true zero emissions, but realistically only when used/stored cryogenically due to the low energy density as a gas. The infrastructure needed to support transport and storage and the amount of energy needed to make green hydrogen are significant challenges. Hydrogen could either be used directly in combustion, or to generate electricity for charging e.g. fuel cells. Hybrid options could be an approach to meet the varying power demands arising from the different stages of flight
- Novel approaches to air vehicle design are being pursued, including multiple-rotor craft, high lift and fuel-less wings and more electric aircraft. Early adopters, potentially as soon as 2025, are most likely to be in regional aircraft and logistics.
Overall, the panel concluded there were no silver bullets. Many small steps in different market sectors are needed to meet the 2050 goals.
For the full debate click here
The Panel – Miles Gray, Aerospace Policy Lead at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Dr Yoge Patel, CEO, Blue Bear Group, Steve Raynes, Head of R&T &D Business Development Airbus UK, Jenny Body, Past President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Dr Marko Bacic, Rolls-Royce Engineering Fellow – Control Systems & Gas Turbine Functionality, Gary Elliott, CEO, Aerospace Technology Institute.