Airbus reveals 3 principles for hydrogen-powered business airplanes

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The 3 principles all have various styles for various business markets.


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Zero-emission automobiles are now so typical they’re practically uninteresting, however zero-emission planes are another matter. They do exist — Seattle-based Matrix Aviation flew the biggest electrical airplane over Washington state this year — however they’re a long method from bring paying travelers.

But Airbus wishes to contribute when that day shows up. The aerospace business recently revealed 3 principles for hydrogen-powered airplane, with styles that vary from totally traditional to significantly various.

Though a flying maker powered by hydrogen might look like a stressing idea for anybody who understands the Hindenburg catastrophe, today’s hydrogen airplane deal with much safer and tested innovations like hydrogen fuel cells not too various from the ones that power automobiles. That’s the case for California start-up ZeroAvia, which accomplished the very first flight of a hydrogen-powered commuter aircraft in the UK on Sunday.

Airbus prepares to integrate hydrogen power in a various method. The hydrogen-hybrid airplane are powered by customized gas turbine engines that burn liquid hydrogen as fuel. They likewise utilize hydrogen fuel cells to develop electrical power that matches the gas turbine.

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“As recently as five years ago, hydrogen propulsion wasn’t even on our radar as a viable emission-reduction technology pathway,” Glenn Llewellyn, Airbus vice president of zero-emission aircraft, said in a statement. “But convincing data from other transport industries quickly changed all that. Today, we’re excited by the incredible potential hydrogen offers aviation in terms of disruptive emissions reduction.”

Here’s an overview of the three concepts (all pictured above):

  • The largest mostly resembles an existing Airbus A321. It has two hybrid-hydrogen turbofan engines with the liquid hydrogen storage and distribution system located behind the rear pressure bulkhead.
  • Most likely meant for commuter routes, a concept that looks a bit like a De Havilland Dash 8 would have two hybrid hydrogen turboprop engines each driving eight-bladed propellers. The liquid hydrogen storage and distribution system would also be located behind the rear pressure bulkhead.
  • The last concept is the most radical, but it’s something we’ve seen before. It calls for the blended wing MAVERIC design that Airbus flew as a pilotless demonstrator in February. Two hybrid hydrogen turbofan engines provide thrust with the liquid hydrogen storage tanks stored underneath the wings.

If all goes well in its development program, Airbus said full-scale prototypes could be ready by the end of the decade with commercial service starting by 2035.Â