Dutch Startup Secures €73 Million for Hydrogen Aircraft Propulsion System Development
Key Ideas
- Conscious Aerospace in the Netherlands receives €73 million in funding from the National Growth Fund for its Hydrogen Aircraft Propulsion and Storage System program.
- The HAPSS program aims to fly a liquid-hydrogen, fuel-cell powertrain on a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 within four years and establish a hydrogen-electric powertrain production supply chain.
- The project involves a consortium of Dutch companies and institutions, including KLM and Transavia, collaborating to develop environmentally friendly aircraft propulsion systems.
- KLM and Transavia are also exploring battery-electric aircraft deployment with Elysian Aircraft to reduce carbon footprint and embrace innovative technologies in aviation.
Conscious Aerospace, a Dutch startup, has received confirmation from the Netherlands' government that it will receive €73 million in funding from the National Growth Fund for its Hydrogen Aircraft Propulsion and Storage System (HAPSS) program. The initiative, part of the larger Aviation in Transition (LiT) program, aims to develop a liquid-hydrogen, fuel-cell powertrain for regional aircraft like the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300. The consortium, led by Conscious Aerospace, includes prominent Dutch companies and institutions such as Aeronamic, Elysian Aircraft, EH Group Engineering, and more. With the strong government backing, the project targets achieving a certified retrofitted Dash 8-300 with a novel propulsion system by the end of the decade. KLM and Transavia have partnered with Conscious Aerospace to advise on the seating and cargo design for the reengined aircraft. Additionally, KLM is working with Elysian Aircraft to explore battery-electric aircraft deployment, aligning with their commitment to reducing the overall CO2 footprint. The collaboration between these entities signifies a significant step towards sustainable aviation and the adoption of innovative propulsion technologies in the Netherlands.