Airbus Accelerates Development of Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft for Zero-Emission Flight
Key Ideas
- Airbus is fast-tracking the development of a hydrogen-powered aircraft to introduce a commercially viable version in the future, focusing on fuel-cell propulsion for zero-emission flight.
- The company aims to revolutionize air transport by using hydrogen fuel cells to power electric aircraft, showcasing a concept with four 2-megawatt electric propulsion engines.
- Airbus has successfully tested a 1.2 MW hydrogen propulsion system and integrated fuel cell stack in previous years, with plans for ground testing and system validation in collaboration with Air Liquide Advanced Technologies.
- In addition to advancing aircraft technologies, Airbus is advocating for a regulatory framework to support hydrogen-powered flight and the emergence of a hydrogen aviation economy.
Airbus has announced its accelerated plans for the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft as part of its ZEROe project roadmap. The aerospace giant is dedicated to pioneering the future of commercial aviation by focusing on key technological advancements that support the transition to fuel-cell propulsion for zero-emission flight. Airbus showcased a notional concept of a hydrogen aircraft powered by four 2-megawatt electric propulsion engines, highlighting the potential of hydrogen fuel cells to revolutionize air transport. The company has successfully tested a 1.2 MW hydrogen propulsion system and completed end-to-end testing of integrated fuel cell stack components. Airbus is collaborating with Air Liquide Advanced Technologies to address liquid hydrogen handling challenges and plans for comprehensive system validation in the coming years. Beyond aircraft technologies, Airbus is committed to fostering a hydrogen aviation economy and advocating for a regulatory framework to enable hydrogen-powered flight at scale.