The future of flying: TCS and Rolls-Royce’s hydrogen fuel revolution unveiled

Tata Consultancy Services, a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, is joining forces with Rolls-Royce, a British multinational renowned for its expertise in aerospace, defence, and power systems. This expanded partnership will see TCS provide crucial engineering support to Rolls-Royce as it tackles three major challenges associated with hydrogen fuel technology: combustion, delivery, and systems integration. The initiative aims to validate hydrogen as a zero-carbon fuel for aviation, aligning with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The announcement, made at the Farnborough International Airshow, highlights TCS’s commitment to driving sustainable transformation across industries. By addressing the complexities of hydrogen fuel systems, TCS and Rolls-Royce are at the forefront of the aviation sector’s green transition, responding to increasing regulatory pressures and a global push for environmental responsibility.

Tata Consultancy Services and Rolls-Royce expand their partnership to advance hydrogen fuel technology, aiming for sustainable aviation and zero-carbon solutions.

The Strategic Importance of the Partnership

Alan Newby, Director of Research and Technology at Rolls-Royce, praised the collaboration, noting that TCS’s engineering expertise will be instrumental in achieving their technological goals. The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between Rolls-Royce and the Tata Group, encompassing various technological areas and supply chain commitments. TCS’s involvement since 2010 in design, manufacturing, control systems, software, and after-market services has been crucial in supporting Rolls-Royce’s major civil and business aviation programmes.

Unlocking the Potential of Hydrogen Fuel: An Expert View

Regu Ayyaswamy, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Internet of Things and Digital Engineering at TCS, highlighted the transformative potential of this partnership. According to Ayyaswamy, the collaboration represents a pivotal step for the aviation industry, which faces the dual challenge of reducing carbon emissions while maintaining performance and efficiency. He emphasised that this partnership aligns perfectly with TCS’s commitment to leveraging technology for positive societal impact and advancing a greener future.

The integration of hydrogen fuel technology is expected to significantly impact the aviation sector by not only reducing carbon emissions but also enhancing innovation in fuel systems and engineering practices. The combined expertise of TCS and Rolls-Royce sets a new benchmark for future advancements in sustainable aviation.

TCS’s Commitment to Sustainability

Tata Consultancy Services is deeply committed to sustainability, with ambitious targets to reduce absolute emissions by 70% by 2025 compared to 2016 levels and achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Having already exceeded its 2024 target with an 80% reduction in its carbon footprint, TCS continues to lead in environmental responsibility and innovation.