Intelligent Energy has secured a significant £17m programme from the ATI Programme to develop a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell system for commercial aircraft. The project, known as Project HEIGHTS, is set to enhance IE's current 300kW modular aviation fuel cell platform for applications in next-generation aircraft, including eVTOL aircraft and short-range commuter planes. The new IE-FLIGHT™ 300 fuel cell system is expected to be operational in Part 23 aircraft by the end of this decade and target larger regional aircraft by the 2030s. One of the main focuses of the project is addressing the challenge of maintaining optimal fuel cell operating temperatures without adding excessive drag to the aircraft from cooling systems. The shift towards fuel cell systems in various aircraft sectors could lead to a substantial reduction of up to 25.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually and the creation of approximately 1,600 new job opportunities. Intelligent Energy is also expanding its UK operations by establishing a new £7.1 million fuel cell test center in Northamptonshire in addition to its manufacturing base in Loughborough. The company's CEO, David Woolhouse, expressed confidence in hydrogen as the primary energy source for flight, emphasizing the sector's potential growth and the importance of domestic manufacturing capability. The support from ATI is seen as a crucial step in advancing hydrogen aviation and maintaining the UK's global leadership in the industry. Jacqueline Castle, the Chief Technology Officer at the Aerospace Technology Institute, highlighted the significance of hydrogen fuel in future power and propulsion systems and praised Intelligent Energy's expertise in tackling thermal management challenges for aircraft integration.