Rolls-Royce successfully tests jet engine on 100 percent hydrogen

09:52 / 30.04.2026·124·Technology

In brief

Rolls-Royce and easyJet have successfully completed ground tests of a modified "Pearl 15" engine that operates entirely on hydrogen. The tests, conducted at a NASA facility in the U.S., simulated a full flight cycle, including takeoff, cruising, and landing. This achievement continues the companies' long-standing collaboration, following previous tests of hydrogen-powered engines in the UK and Germany. However, despite this progress, the use of hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft for commercial purposes remains a distant goal, as significant challenges in fuel storage, airport infrastructure, certification, and aircraft design still need to be addressed.

Rolls-Royce and easyJet have successfully completed ground tests of a modified Pearl 15 engine running on one hundred percent hydrogen. The engine operated at full flight power. Ixbt.com reports on this.

The tests took place at a NASA testing ground in the USA.

According to the companies, the engine simulated a full flight cycle. This included startup, takeoff, cruise mode, and landing processes.

The modern jet engine was tested on gaseous hydrogen under conditions as close as possible to real conditions.

This result was a continuation of the multi-year partnership between easyJet and Rolls-Royce. Previously, the companies tested the AE2100 engine on green hydrogen in the UK and the Pearl combustion chamber in Germany.

Rolls-Royce representatives noted that the program helped to understand how hydrogen behaves in modern aviation gas turbines. Combustion, fuel delivery, control systems, and emergency scenarios were also checked.

However, this does not mean that hydrogen passenger aircraft will be used for commercial purposes soon. The industry faces serious tasks such as fuel storage, airport infrastructure, certification, and adaptation of aircraft design.