Airbus And MTU Aero Engines Advance On Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology for Aviation

Aviation Innovation: Airbus & MTU Go Green

Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on hydrogen fuel cell propulsion, an innovative technology aimed at reducing carbon emissions in aviation. Bruno Fichefeux, Airbus’ Head of Future Programs, and Dr. Stefan Weber, MTU’s Senior Vice President of Engineering and Technology, signed the MoU during the 55th Paris Airshow.

The partnership combines the expertise of Airbus, a pioneer in hydrogen-powered aviation through its ZEROe project, with MTU Aero Engines, a recognized expert in both commercial and military aircraft engines. This collaboration results from Airbus’s commitment to focus its research on developing a fully electric, hydrogen-powered aircraft equipped with a fuel cell engine. MTU has developed significant knowledge in this field through its Flying Fuel Cell concept.

The agreement outlines a three-step roadmap for developing a hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine suitable for the commercial aviation market.

1. The first step involves advancing the key technological components necessary for the engine through collaborative research projects, such as Clean Aviation.
2. The second step will focus on aligning both partners’ research and technology roadmaps regarding hydrogen technologies.

The results of their collaborative efforts will allow them to advance in developing a fuel cell engine for a hydrogen-powered aircraft.

“Our focus on fully electric fuel cell propulsion technology for future hydrogen-powered aircraft underscores our confidence and progress in this domain,” said Bruno Fichefeux, Head of future programmes at Airbus.

 

“Collaborating with MTU, a leader in engine manufacturing and innovation, is a perfect complement to our own advancements. This partnership will allow us to pool our collective knowledge, accelerate the maturation of critical technologies, and ultimately deliver a revolutionary hydrogen-powered propulsion system for future commercial aircraft. Together, we are not just imagining a sustainable future of flight, we are actively pioneering it.”

“As a globally recognised engine expert, we are driven by the vision of a revolutionary propulsion concept that allows virtually emissions-free flight,” said Dr. Stefan Weber, SVP Engineering and Technology at MTU Aero Engines.

 

“Today, we are at the centre of a wide-ranging eco-system of partners aiming to achieve the complete electrification of the powertrain by using fuel cell technology. Partnering with Airbus opens up the possibility to jointly address both technology maturity and platform integration aspects. Our joint efforts in the years to come are the first step in paving the way for a potential product development in the future.”