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 and European headquarters in Toulouse, France.
The company is developing conversion kits for regional aircraft like the ATR 72 and Dash-8, utilizing proprietary liquid hydrogen modular capsules for efficient fuel transport and loading.
Universal Hydrogen has secured a firm order from Connect Airlines to convert 75 ATR 72-600s to hydrogen powertrains, with deliveries expected to begin in 2025.
Targeting regional and narrow-body airplanes for near-term decarbonization, the company is also developing a hydrogen distribution network for commercial airports worldwide, leveraging Europe's support for hydrogen in 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.
