Universal Hydrogen is using this modified ATR 72-500 hydrogen fuel demonstrator to develop its hydrogen retrofit kit. (Courtesy: Universal Hydrogen)
Key Takeaways:
Universal Hydrogen unveiled its hydrogen-electric test demonstrator aircraft, a modified ATR 72-500, at its new engineering and design center in Toulouse, France.
The aircraft features an electric powertrain powered by hydrogen fuel cells, part of Universal Hydrogen's development of conversion kits that include proprietary liquid hydrogen modular capsules for regional planes.
The company has secured a firm order from Connect Airlines to convert 75 ATR 72-600s to hydrogen powertrains, with deliveries expected to begin in 2025, aiming to decarbonize regional aviation.
Leading hydrogen-electric aviation fuel developer Universal Hydrogen has unveiled its test demonstrator aircraft: a modified ATR 72-500.
Unveiled July 11 at Universal Hydrogen’s new engineering and design center in Toulouse, France, the airplane’s powertrain has been converted from a conventional turboprop configuration to electric motors powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
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Thom is a former senior editor for FLYING. Previously, his freelance reporting appeared in aviation industry magazines. Thom also spent three decades as a TV and digital journalist at CNN’s bureaus in Washington and Atlanta, eventually specializing in aviation. He has reported from air shows in Oshkosh, Farnborough and Paris. Follow Thom on Twitter @thompatterson.
