Press Release: Honeywell, Boeing and Reading Advance Contrail Sensing

Key Takeaways

• Project MIST creates prototype aircraft humidity sensor.
• Honeywell leads hardware integration and systems engineering.
• Boeing provides aircraft integration and test expertise.
• University of Reading supplies contrail modelling and climate analysis.
• Improved data aims to enhance contrail forecasting accuracy.

Summary

Honeywell, Boeing and the University of Reading have launched Project MIST, a joint effort funded by the UK Aerospace Technology Institute to develop an aircraft‑mounted humidity sensor. The prototype aims to close data gaps in high‑altitude moisture measurements, improving contrail forecasting and weather modelling. Honeywell will handle sensor hardware and systems integration, Boeing will manage aircraft integration and testing, while Reading will provide contrail modelling expertise. The initiative supports the UK’s Net Zero aviation goals and the broader industry push to mitigate non‑CO₂ climate impacts.

Pulse Analysis

Contrails, the ice‑crystal trails left by jet engines, represent a significant non‑CO₂ source of warming. Their formation depends on precise humidity and temperature conditions that current aircraft sensors rarely capture at the required frequency or accuracy. Without reliable in‑flight moisture data, weather models and climate assessments struggle to predict contrail persistence, limiting airlines' ability to implement avoidance strategies that could cut aviation’s overall climate footprint.

Project MIST brings together Honeywell’s sensor integration expertise, Boeing’s aircraft testing capabilities, and the University of Reading’s three‑decade legacy in contrail modelling. Funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute, the consortium will develop a compact water‑vapor sensor that can be retrofitted to commercial fleets without major redesigns. Honeywell will leverage its Yeovil engineering hub for hardware development, while Boeing’s Bristol and Seattle teams will validate performance in real flight conditions. The University of Reading will translate sensor outputs into refined contrail forecasts, feeding back into numerical weather prediction models.

The broader implications extend beyond research. Airlines equipped with high‑resolution humidity data can adopt dynamic flight‑path adjustments, reducing contrail formation and aligning with upcoming EU and UK emissions regulations. The project also showcases the UK’s strategic investment in sustainable aerospace, reinforcing its position in the global Net Zero aviation agenda. As regulators tighten non‑CO₂ standards, early adopters of such sensor technology could gain a competitive edge, unlocking new revenue streams from climate‑friendly operations.