Project Fresson is the development by Cranfield Aerospace of an electric propulsion system for the over 700 BN-2 Islanders currently operated, supported by Britten-Norman.

The Orkney Islands already have wind turbines and in Kirkwall harbour the inter-island ferries can be powered by locally produced hydrogen via fuel cells.

[2] Approved by the EASA, Cranfield built the X-48 blended wing body scale-model for NASA, and works with Airbus and Rolls-Royce to develop the hybrid E-Fan X converted BAe 146 demonstrator.

Cranfield wants to develop a STC with off-the-shelf parts: current batteries would give it a 30 min endurance, sufficient for many island flights but not providing any safety margin, and more with a range extender.

[3] Rolls-Royce may evolve the design into a series hybrid with a M250 turboshaft instead of the twin piston engines, before powering 19-seat commuter airliner.