U.S. startup Hydroplane plans to hover-test a hydrogen-electric propulsion system in a light helicopter under an extension to a small-business contact awarded by the U.S. Army.
Universal Hydrogen’s demise and Airbus’ slowdown of its ZEROe hydrogen project questioned the feasibility of the technology in aviation. The remaining players have strikingly contrasting approaches in their projects.
Since Airbus announced it was delaying plans to develop a zero-emission airliner by up to 10 years, the landscape for hydrogen propulsion pioneers has changed.
Several startups came onto the scene in the mid- to late 2010s touting the promise of hydrogen-electric propulsion for zero-emission regional aviation.
Swiss startup Jekta has completed its second 1:9-scale prototype amphibious seaplane and is preparing to launch into a flight test campaign in January.
French multinational utility EDF has increased its year-old investment in Toulouse-based electric aircraft startup Aura Aero to €2 million, and other briefs.
ZeroAvia has been selected to receive an EU grant to establish a commercial hybrid-electric aircraft network in Norway using converted Cessna Caravans.
The UK government has awarded funding to support two projects to advance hydrogen-electric propulsion for next-generation regional aircraft and air taxis.
Creating an infrastructure to support global aviation development of hydrogen programs and ongoing wide-scale adoption remains a significant challenge.
