TCS and Rolls-Royce collaborate for hydrogen-powered flight engineering
Despite a decade of net-zero policy, one of the biggest question marks for the carbon neutral economy, is how to prevent the huge ecological damage of global air-traffic – which accounts for approximately 2-3% of global CO₂ emissions. But Tata Consultancy Services and Rolls-Royce hope to have charted a path ahead – collaborating on a four-year programme to create proof-of-concepts for lower-carbon aviation – centring on hydrogen-powered turbines.
Adam Newman, chief engineer for the hydrogen demonstrator programme at Rolls-Royce, said, "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.”
A global advisory specialising in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been a trusted partner throughout the programme with the aerospace pioneer. First announced by Rolls-Royce and easyJet in 2022, TCS joined the programme in 2024, bringing its engineering and technology capabilities in the areas of development, testing and validation.
Four years later, TCS and Rolls-Royce have claimed an industry first, stating they have demonstrated the successful operation of a modern aero gas turbine across a fully simulated flight cycle using only hydrogen. The modified engine successfully completed a flight cycle demonstration, including take-off, cruise and landing. The tests, validated critical hydrogen propulsion technologies across combustion, fuel systems, and engine controls.
As Rolls-Royce’s engineering partner, TCS provided engineering expertise that helped fast track the development, testing and successful delivery of the programme. This included working on critical areas like fuel system and engine controls integration, hydrogen combustion analysis, test preparation, validation, data analytics, risk management, and design.
The final demonstration brought together expertise from across the aviation ecosystem, with Rolls-Royce and TCS working alongside easyJet, NASA, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and other industry partners to bring hydrogen-powered flight a step closer to reality. The learnings from this initiative will support future propulsion innovations, including UltraFan, and strengthen our confidence that gas turbine technology can continue to play an important role in the future of sustainable flight.
Anupam Singhal, president for manufacturing at Tata Consultancy Services, added, “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. 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.”
