Airbus readies for maiden flight-test of its megawatt-class hydrogen fuel-cell engine
Airbus has chosen the iconic A380 MSN001 as the host for a groundbreaking hydrogen fuel-cell engine demonstrator. This project, part of Airbus' ZEROe programme, represents a significant step towards zero-emission commercial aircraft scheduled for around 2040–2045.
The demonstrator will utilise liquid hydrogen stored cryogenically as fuel to generate electricity through fuel cells, powering electric propulsors. The hydrogen is kept at very low temperatures (around 20 K or -253 °C) in specialized tanks within the fuselage, a choice that addresses hydrogen's low volumetric energy density through cryogenic storage while leveraging its high specific energy (119.9 MJ/kg).
In the ZEROe programme, fuel cells convert liquid hydrogen into electrical energy without combustion, producing only water as a byproduct, enabling zero-emission flight. The electricity generated powers electric motors that drive the aircraft’s propulsors. The hydrogen fuel is stored in cryogenic tanks designed to maintain the extremely low temperature needed to keep hydrogen liquid and to maximize energy density over gaseous storage.
The A380's aerodynamics make it a stable aircraft, minimizing the impact of the pod attached to the rear fuselage. The hydrogen supply lines from the tank will be routed directly from the housing to the externally mounted pod, where the hydrogen is converted into a gaseous state and supplied to the fuel cell inside the engine pod, where it reacts with dioxygen to produce electrical current.
The electrical current is then converted into mechanical power, which drives the propeller and provides thrust. Emergency venting lines are installed to expel hydrogen if needed. The thermal energy generated by the fuel cell needs to be conveyed to heat exchangers where it is dissipated into the ambient air. Water is produced as a byproduct of the electrochemical reaction and is expelled from the back of the engine pod.
The airflows from the pod and its propeller do not affect the airflow over the A380's tail surfaces. The A380's internal space allows for accommodating the necessary equipment without constraints. The demonstrator will use Airbus' multi-modal flight test platform, the A380 MSN001, and will be modified to carry a cryogenic tank for liquefied hydrogen.
Airbus is developing the propelling system, gearbox, and pitch control internally for the first time. The A380 is already fully instrumented, making it a suitable choice for the project. This approach contrasts with burning hydrogen in modified jet engines and represents a key step toward zero-emission, hydrogen-electric commercial aircraft planned by Airbus for around 2040–2045.
The A380 demonstrator validates the feasibility of large-scale cryogenic hydrogen storage, fuel cell integration, and electric propulsion technologies in a real aircraft platform. Airbus is working on a demonstrator for the fuel-cell engine, which could be tested in flight by around 2026. The project underscores Airbus' commitment to reducing aviation's carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future for air travel.
[1] Airbus (2020). Airbus ZEROe: Aviation's future, today [2] Airbus (2021). Airbus' first hydrogen-powered flight demonstrator takes shape [3] Airbus (2021). Airbus unveils Airbus ZEROe demonstrator, a hydrogen-powered aircraft to test airframe and propulsion system integration [4] Airbus (2021). Airbus unveils four concepts for the future of zero-emission aviation [5] Airbus (2021). Airbus' hydrogen-powered aircraft: A step closer to zero-emission flight
Science has played a crucial role in the development of Airbus' ZEROe programme, particularly in the research and application of cryogenic storage for hydrogen fuel. Moreover, the integration of fuel cells and electric propulsion technologies, pivotal components in the achievement of zero-emission flight, also represents a significant milestone in the field of technology.
The innovative finance strategy adopted by Airbus for this project, aiming to reduce aviation's carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future for air travel, underscores the importance of financial support in driving technological advancements in the field of science and aviation.
