Airbus and MTU Aero Engines Forge Partnership for Hydrogen-Powered Aviation Innovation
Key Ideas
  • Airbus and MTU Aero Engines signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Paris Air Show to advance the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion for decarbonising aviation.
  • The partnership aims to create a hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine suitable for the commercial aviation market through a three-step roadmap, including joint research projects like Clean Aviation.
  • Both companies expressed confidence in the collaboration, with Airbus focusing on electric fuel cell propulsion technology and MTU aiming for virtually emissions-free flight through fuel cell technology.
  • The partnership between Airbus and MTU is expected to accelerate technology maturation, drive innovation, and pave the way for a sustainable future of hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft.
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Paris Air Show to collaborate on the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems for aviation. This partnership aims to leverage Airbus's expertise in hydrogen-powered aviation, particularly through its ZEROe project, and MTU Aero Engines' reputation as a leading engine expert for commercial and military aircraft. The agreement outlines a strategic roadmap with three key steps towards creating a hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine suitable for commercial aviation. The first step involves joint research projects to develop essential technological building blocks, while the second step focuses on aligning research and technology roadmaps on hydrogen technologies. The final step aims to develop a fuel-cell engine for hydrogen-powered aircraft. Both companies expressed confidence in the partnership, with Airbus emphasizing its commitment to electric fuel cell propulsion technology and MTU Aero Engines highlighting the vision for virtually emissions-free flight through fuel cell technology. The collaboration is expected to accelerate technology advancements, promote innovation, and drive the transformation towards sustainable hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft. This partnership signifies a significant step towards pioneering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for aviation through hydrogen fuel cell propulsion.
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