BlueBear’s Project HEART advances Zero-Carbon Regional Aviation
BlueBear – a Saab company, has successfully led the completion of Project HEART Phase 3, a landmark achievement in advancing zero-carbon regional aviation. Saab contributed to Project HEART by developing and integrating advanced avionics systems to improve pilot assistance and aircraft automation.
Finalising Phase 3 of the UK’s Future Flight Challenge initiative marks a critical milestone culmination of extensive research, development, and flight trials, made possible by over £9M of government and partner funding. The funding body for this project was Innovate UK. Members of the consortium included Arqit, Britten-Norman, Loganair, Saab UK, and others.
What is Project HEART?
Project HEART – Hydrogen Electric and Automated Regional Transportation - aimed to transform sub-regional air travel by developing the world-leading foundation for a network of zero-carbon flights using hydrogen-powered aircraft. This consortium-led initiative, aimed to offer affordable and efficient travel by utilising smaller airfields across the UK, bypassing congested major airports. Passengers could benefit from shorter travel times, lower fares, and a sustainable option.
Phase 2 of Project HEART proved key technologies, with ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powered aircraft and a Britten-Norman Islander showcasing advanced automation and safety systems for single pilot operation. The consortium gained vital data and insights. Phase 3 of HEART aimed for a commercial demo of key innovations, including advanced on-board automation, green hydrogen refuelling, remote pilot support, autonomous ground robots, and modular terminals for better access and transfers.
Saab in Project HEART
Saab’s Mission Adaptive Terrain Awareness and Warning System (MA-TAWS) provides real-time collision alerts and escape guidance, while their Synthetic Vision System (SVS) creates a clear, synthetic view of the environment, even in poor visibility. A key success of Project HEART was the close collaboration between the development team in Sweden, and the integration and testing team in Saab UK. The successful integration and testing of these systems were achieved in both a flight demonstrator, and into a BlueBear developed Uncrewed Aircraft System, paving the way for real-world implementation and advancing the future of safe and efficient air travel.
Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director, Saab UK, said:
“From autonomous systems to hydrogen-electric propulsion, this project demonstrates how forward-thinking technology can transform regional aviation and beyond. Saab UK is proud to have contributed to this effort, which places the UK at the forefront of green aviation and automation.”
Phase 3’s achievements
Project HEART’s phase 3 achievements include; the successful development and testing of a high-authority flight management system for automated flight, advancements in hydrogen-electric aircraft infrastructure, and the design of an accessible airport terminal with automated features.
The project culminated in an event to highlight ‘A Day in The Life’, a comprehensive demonstration of a possible zero-carbon aviation network. This showcases how regional travel can be transformed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining safety, efficiency, and convenience, whilst becoming accessible to all.