UK-based global major power and propulsion systems group Rolls-Royce and India-based global IT, consulting and business services company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), part of India’s global Tata Group, have announced that they have demonstrated the successful use of 100% hydrogen to fuel a modern gas turbine engine throughout a completely simulated flight cycle. This is an industry first and is the latest achievement in the hydrogen propulsion programme launched by Rolls-Royce and UK budget airline easyJet in 2022, which TCS joined in 2024.

“The programme marks an important milestone in our journey towards more sustainable aviation,” affirmed Rolls-Royce Hydrogen Demonstrator Programme chief engineer Adam Newman. “Through a rigorous and carefully staged testing approach, we have gained valuable insights into how 100% hydrogen behaves in a modern aero gas turbine across a full flight cycle while validating critical combustion, fuel and control system technologies. TCS has been a trusted partner throughout this programme. The learnings from this initiative will support future propulsion innovations, including [our] UltraFan [future engine technology programme], and strengthen our confidence that gas turbine technology can continue to play an important role in the future of sustainable flight."

In the test, the modified engine undertook a complete flight cycle demonstration, from take-off, through cruise, to landing, using only 100% hydrogen as fuel. The project validated essential hydrogen propulsion technologies, including engine controls, fuel systems and combustion. TCS was the engineering partner, contributing the expertise that helped accelerate development, including detailed design, risk management, engine control and fuel system integration, test preparation, hydrogen combustion analysis, data analytics and validation, as well as with the testing and successful delivery of the programme.

“This milestone reflects what becomes possible when advanced engineering is combined with digital capabilities and deep ecosystem collaboration to move breakthrough innovation closer to real-world,” highlighted TCS president – Manufacturing Anupam Singhal. “At TCS, we are proud to support Rolls-Royce in accelerating hydrogen propulsion through integrated engineering, systems, and software expertise. This achievement marks a significant step forward—demonstrating not just the viability of hydrogen, but the industry’s readiness to translate ambition into execution.”

The successful test was a culminating point in the four-year programme to establish that hydrogen could indeed be a future very-low-carbon fuel for aviation. It thus marked a major step towards the achievement of low-carbon flight.

In addition to Rolls-Royce and TCS, the programme was supported and assisted by easyJet, the US National Aeronautics and Space Agency, the UK Health and Safety Executive, and other industry partners. On the foundation laid by this programme, Rolls-Royce and TCS will continue to work together to develop hydrogen-powered aviation technologies.