Airbus to test hydrogen-fueled engine on A380 jet

Date 27.2.2022

2022 marks a new and exciting phase for ZEROe – Airbus’ ambition to develop the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035. The multi-year demonstrator programme has officially been launched with the objective to test a variety of hydrogen technologies both on the ground and in the air.

 

The A380 is the world’s largest and most spacious passenger jet ever built – a size that makes it ideally suited to the role of test platform.

Today, the A380 MSN1 test aircraft is earmarked for a new role: to take the lead on testing the technologies that will be vital to bringing the world’s first zero-emission aircraft to market by 2035.

“The A380 MSN1 is an excellent flight laboratory platform for new hydrogen technologies,” says Mathias Andriamisaina, Airbus ZEROe Demonstrator Leader. “It’s a safe and reliable platform that is highly versatile to test a wide range of zero-emission technologies. In addition, the platform can comfortably accommodate the large flight test instrumentation that will be needed to analyse the performance of the hydrogen in the hydrogen-propulsion system.”

 

A demonstrator aircraft is fundamental to developing new aviation technology. It is primarily used to test and prove the viability of designs, processes, fuels, materials and equipment, both on the ground and in the air. This information is then used to refine and certify the finished product.

Engine manufacturers have been working hand-in-hand with Airbus on demonstrator programmes for decades. And the ZEROe demonstrator will be no exception.

CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran, is set to develop the hydrogen combustion engine and prepare it for testing. Specifically, the company will modify the combustor, fuel system and control system of a GE PassportTM turbofan to run on hydrogen. The engine was selected due to its physical size, advanced turbo machinery, and fuel flow capability.

Each technology component – the hydrogen tanks, hydrogen combustion engine and liquid hydrogen distribution system – will be tested individually on the ground. Then, the complete system will be tested first on the ground and then subsequently in flight. The first flight is expected to take place in the next five years.

Stay up to date

with the latest news from Aerospace!

Your email address will only ever be used for Newsletters campaings with the legal agreement of your Privacy Policy. You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe in every email if you no longer wish to receive emails from us.


TOP Interviews

A Vision for the Future: Exploring Sustainable Solutions and Disruptive Technologies at the Arab Aviation Summit

A Vision for the Future: Exploring Sustainable Solutions and Disruptive Technologies at the Arab Aviation Summit

Date 6.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

In a recent interview, we had the opportunity to sit down with Frederico Fernandes, Director of the Arab Aviation Summit, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the aviation sector. As one of the leading industry players, Frederico shared his insights on the past success of the Summit and looked ahead to the future. He […]

A Journey Towards a Greener Tomorrow: The Revolutionary AMBER Program Takes Flight

A Journey Towards a Greener Tomorrow: The Revolutionary AMBER Program Takes Flight

Date 8.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

  The aviation industry is facing an unprecedented challenge in balancing its environmental impact with the increasing demand for air travel. Avio Aero, a subsidiary of GE Aerospace, is leading the charge with the launch of its innovative AMBER project. In this exclusive interview, we’ll sit down with Jesus Lopez Ruiz, AMBER System Leader at […]

Rising to the Top: The Transformational Leadership of Job Air Technic a.s.

Rising to the Top: The Transformational Leadership of Job Air Technic a.s.

Date 8.2.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Exclusive Interview with Vladimir Stulančák (on the picture above), CEO & Chairman of the Board of Directors of Job Air Technic a.s. Job Air Technic a.s., a member of Czechoslovak Group, is a leading maintenance company specializing in heavy and line maintenance for narrow body planes such as the A320 FAM and B737. With 30 years of […]

QinetiQ: delivering where others can’t to protect sovereign interests and save lives

QinetiQ: delivering where others can’t to protect sovereign interests and save lives

Date 1.9.2022

fl_en|fl_cs

Founded in 2001, QinetiQ was previously part of the British Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which was comparable to the US DARPA. The largest share of DERA, namely the non-nuclear testing and evaluation institutes, was transferred to the newly created QinetiQ. In 2003, QinetiQ signed a 25-year long-term partnering agreement (LTPA) under which QinetiQ […]

Show more

Stay up to date

with the latest news from Aerospace!

Your email address will only ever be used for Newsletters campaings with the legal agreement of your Privacy Policy. You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe in every email if you no longer wish to receive emails from us.

More news

From the Czech Republic to the Skies of Europe: Evektor’s SportStart RTC and Harmony UL Ready to Conquer Aero Friedrichshafen 2023

From the Czech Republic to the Skies of Europe: Evektor’s SportStart RTC and Harmony UL Ready to Conquer Aero Friedrichshafen 2023

Date 29.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Evektor, a Czech-based company founded in 1991 with a 50-year tradition in aircraft production, is set to showcase its latest offerings at the upcoming Aero Friedrichshafen event. The event is widely regarded as the world’s leading trade show for general aviation and is scheduled to take place from April 19th to 22nd, 2023. Aero Friedrichshafen […]

NEO ENERGY AVIATION ACADEMY – TEST PILOT AND LEAD FLIGHT TEST ENGINEER COURSE READY FOR AUGUST 2023

NEO ENERGY AVIATION ACADEMY – TEST PILOT AND LEAD FLIGHT TEST ENGINEER COURSE READY FOR AUGUST 2023

Date 22.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

The Neo Energy Aviation Academy (NEA), Europe’s newest fully private Approved Training Organisation, is now ready to offer a comprehensive range of highly specialised competency-based training in the areas of flight test and specialised operations and has just announced the launch of its new Test Pilot and Lead Flight Test Engineer training courses. The Academy, […]

Navigating the Turbulent Skies: The Aerospace Industry in 2022 and Beyond

Navigating the Turbulent Skies: The Aerospace Industry in 2022 and Beyond

Date 9.3.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

The aviation industry is facing turbulence due to the war in Ukraine, inflation, and energy crisis (mainly in Europe), which is probably the largest individual loss ever to hit areas of the aviation insurance market. Inflation is increasing costs across the industry and challenging insurers as it affects nominal premium growth and global demand. The […]

Vueling Strengthens Sustainable Strategy with WheelTug Partnership

Vueling Strengthens Sustainable Strategy with WheelTug Partnership

Date 22.2.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Vueling, part of International Airlines Group (IAG), has recently announced their new collaboration with WheelTug, the company that created the system of the same name, enabling aircraft to taxi without utilizing their engines. This electric propulsion system reduces the need for traditional push–back tractors and will result in lower fuel consumption and noise emissions, in […]

XTAL Goes Wireless – The First Professional Wireless Headset is Here

XTAL Goes Wireless – The First Professional Wireless Headset is Here

Date 20.2.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

Vrgineers and IMRNext collaboration bring to life a high-fidelity wireless virtual reality headset for high-end customers   The wireless XTAL targets high-end customers, who require fully performing computers to calculate VR content, making it the best choice for use cases such as machine and aircraft maintenance, rescue or firefighting operations, and special forces training.   […]

QinetiQ Boosts Aerial Capabilities with Strategic Investment in DA62 and PC-9 B Planes

QinetiQ Boosts Aerial Capabilities with Strategic Investment in DA62 and PC-9 B Planes

Date 9.2.2023

fl_en|fl_cs

QinetiQ GmbH, a leading global defense and security company, has recently expanded its fleet with two new Diamond DA62 planes and nine Pilatus PC-9 B planes to support the provision of Aerial Threat Representation for its German and European customers.   – QinetiQ GmbH has recently expanded their fleet with two new Diamond DA62 and […]

Show more
Subscribe to our magazineRegister now