Rolls-Royce and HSE Scientists Achieve World First with Full Take-Off Power Jet Engine Test on 100% Hydrogen

Scientists at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have partnered with Rolls-Royce to achieve a world first in hydrogen-powered aviation: the successful test of a jet engine reaching full take-off power running on 100% hydrogen fuel. The milestone, designated the Engine GH2 test, is described as the first time this type of test has been performed anywhere in the world, forming part of a broader hydrogen aviation research programme led by Rolls-Royce.

A specialist team from HSE's Science and Research Centre in Buxton designed, manufactured and installed high-flow, high-pressure hydrogen control and monitoring gas supply infrastructure for the project, and HSE scientists provided safety analysis of the test design, drawing on more than 20 years of hydrogen research experience across multiple sectors.

Adam Newman, chief engineer of the Hydrogen Demonstrator Programme at Rolls-Royce, said the programme had given the company "the clearest understanding in the industry of how hydrogen behaves in a modern aero gas turbine," adding that insights gained — many of which are fuel-agnostic — would be applied to future programmes including UltraFan®. Dr Nigel Moss, aerospace sector manager at HSE, said the team's work "is not about slowing innovation down — it is precisely what enables it to proceed at pace and with confidence."

HSE's hydrogen research team has previously worked with major UK aerospace companies including Airbus and Rolls-Royce, supporting projects in collaboration with the Aerospace Technology Institute. HSE has also announced its 2026 Safe Net Zero conference, a two-day event scheduled for 18-19 November in Edinburgh, bringing together industry, government and academia to address the safe deployment of hydrogen and its derivatives.