Airbus Hydrogen Fuel Plane

Airbus and CFM to test hydrogen engine on A380 aircraft, to fly by mid-decade. Airbus and CFM International to pioneer hydrogen combustion technology.

Toulouse/Washington, 22 February 2022 – Airbus has formed a cooperation with CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, to work on a hydrogen demonstration program that will take to the skies in the middle of this decade.

The program’s goal is to ground and fly test a hydrogen-fueled direct combustion engine in anticipation of a zero-emission aircraft entering service by 2035. A380 flying testbed equipped with liquid hydrogen tanks will be used in the demonstration, which will be prepared at Airbus facilities in France and Germany. Airbus will also establish the hydrogen propulsion system specifications, supervise flight testing, and offer the A380 platform for hydrogen combustion engine testing in cruise mode.

CFM International (CFM) will convert a GE Passport turbofan’s combustor, fuel system, and control system to run on hydrogen. Because of its physical size, superior turbomachinery, and fuel flow capability, the engine, which is produced in the United States, was chosen for this program. It will be installed along the back fuselage of the flying testbed to enable for separate monitoring of engine emissions, including contrails, from those of the aircraft’s engines. Prior to the A380 flight test, CFM will do extensive ground testing.

“This is the most significant step undertaken at Airbus to usher in a new era of hydrogen-powered flight since the unveiling of our ZEROe concepts back in September 2020,” said Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technical Officer. “By leveraging the expertise of American and European engine manufacturers to make progress on hydrogen combustion technology, this international partnership sends a clear message that our industry is committed to making the zero-emission flight a reality.”

“Hydrogen combustion capability is one of the foundational technologies we are developing and maturing as part of the CFM RISE Program,” said Gaël Méheust, president & CEO of CFM. “Bringing together the collective capabilities and experience of CFM, our parent companies, and Airbus, we really do have the dream team in place to successfully demonstrate a hydrogen propulsion system.” 

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CFM shares Airbus’ ambition to keep the promise they made in October 2021 when they signed the Air Transport Action Group goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the aviation industry by 2050 by developing and testing the technology needed to make zero-emission aircraft a reality within the aggressive timeline set.

CFM and its parent businesses, GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines, have a long-standing connection with Airbus, and the partners have a proven track record of producing high-performance products that satisfy the needs of airline customers.

Source: Airbus

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