Airbus Will Test Hydrogen Fueled Engine On A380 Jets

JAKARTA - Airbus is just one step closer to launching the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.

The French aircraft maker has announced plans to test hydrogen fuel technology, using a modified version of one of its A380 jets, which was discontinued last year.

Airbus has partnered with CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, in a very significant hydrogen demonstration program.

The aircraft manufacturer will use an "A380 flight test stand equipped with liquid hydrogen tanks", to test propulsion technology for future hydrogen aircraft.

"Our ambition is to take this (A380) aircraft and add a stub between the rear doors on the top tier," Glenn Llewellyn, vice president for zero-emissions aircraft at Airbus, said in a video posted on Airbus' YouTube channel. February.

"The lighter will have a hydrogen-powered gas turbine at the end," he continued.

He continued, the plane will be equipped with hydrogen storage and hydrogen distribution, which will feed its engines with chemical elements.

According to Llewellyn, the aim of the 'flight laboratory' is to learn more, about hydrogen propulsion systems on the ground and actual flight conditions, thus enabling Airbus to continue its plans for zero-emissions aircraft in just over a decade.

The current test flight is expected to take place in 2026, provided everything goes according to plan. The news comes more than a year after Airbus unveiled three hydrogen-based concepts under the ZEROe banner.

"This is the most significant step taken at Airbus to usher in a new era of hydrogen-powered aviation since the launch of our ZEROe concept in September 2020," Sabine Klauke, chief technical officer for Airbus, said in a statement.

"By leveraging the expertise of American and European engine manufacturers to make advances in hydrogen combustion technology, this international partnership sends a clear message that our industry is committed to zero emission aviation."

Aviation produces 2.8 percent of global CO2 emissions, and global fuel consumption by commercial airlines reached 95 billion gallons in 2019. Meanwhile, the global aviation industry has pledged to cut emissions to half their 2005 levels by 2050.

A number of airlines are moving towards sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), to help reduce the environmental impact of aviation, with British Airways parent company IAG revealing plans to power 10 percent of its flights with SAF by 2030, and United Airlines finalizing it. the first successful flight on 100 percent sustainable fuel last year.

However, Airbus is 'hedging the bet' on hydrogen, which has the potential to reduce aviation carbon emissions by up to 50 percent, according to the aircraft manufacturer.

"I firmly believe that the use of hydrogen, both in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for commercial aircraft, has the potential to significantly reduce aviation's climate impact," said Guillaume Faury, Airbus chief executive.

Separately, it should be noted that airline ZeroAvia is currently developing a 19-seater aircraft, which will operate hydrogen-electric commercial flights between London and Rotterdam from 2024.