Airbus, GE Aviation, Safran to Develop Hydrogen Flight Test Demonstrator

Company aims to use a modified A380 equipped with hydrogen fuel tanks as a test platform.

Thom Patterson

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 10:59 AM ET

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Airbus unveiled an artist's rendering Tuesday of its A380 hydrogen test demonstrator. [Courtesy: Airbus]

Key Takeaways:

Airbus is partnering with GE Aviation and CFM International to develop and flight test a direct combustion engine fueled by hydrogen.
A modified Airbus A380 will serve as the demonstrator aircraft, with the first flight planned for late 2026, aiming for a zero-emission aircraft to enter service by 2035.
The project seeks to overcome significant challenges, including the storage of liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures and the development of a specialized fuel delivery system, to help the aviation industry achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

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Airbus announced Tuesday it will partner with GE Aviation and CFM International to “flight test a direct combustion engine fueled by hydrogen in preparation for entry into service of a zero-emission aircraft by 2035.”

Airbus Americas chairman and CEO Jeff Knittel said the flight test aircraft will be a modified Airbus A380—currently the world’s largest passenger airliner—equipped with four liquid hydrogen tanks that will fuel a GE Passport turbofan engine located along the rear fuselage of the aircraft.