Airbus plans to test hydrogen-combustion aircraft engine

By the middle of the decade, the company plans to test a hydrogen-powered engine. The photo is from the aircraft.

By the middle of the decade, the company plans to test a hydrogen-powered engine.

The test will be conducted in partnership with the engine maker.

The goal of putting a zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered aircraft into service by 2035 is a step toward that.

The test will use an A380 aircraft and a GE Passport engine modified to run on hydrogen. The A380 will have an engine mounted along the rear of the plane to allow for engine emissions to be monitored. The A380 flight test will be preceded by an extensive ground-test program.

The testing program is the most significant step the company has taken in its hydrogen aircraft development program since it unveiled a trio of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts in 2020.

By using the expertise of American and European engine manufacturers, this international partnership sends a clear message that our industry is committed to making zero-emission flight a reality.

According to a 2020 study published in the peer-review journal Atmospheric Environment, aviation accounts for an estimated 3.5% of global climate change. The airlines and manufacturers have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2050. One strategy that has been presented to reduce the industry's carbon footprint is the development of hydrogen propulsion.

The carbon footprint of aviation would be mitigated by the use of sustainable aviation fuel and new technologies such as hydrogen, under a scenario presented by IATA in October. 3% would be eliminated with efficiency improvements. Carbon capture and storage and carbon offsets would be used to deal with the remaining 19%.

The French government gave a commitment of $1.7 billion for the development of a hydrogen-powered plane for the company to use.

Airbus plans to testhydrogen-combustion-aircraft-engine.