Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology, a key element in efforts to decarbonise aviation.
The MoU was signed at the 55th Paris Air Show by Bruno Fichefeux, Airbus' Head of Future Programmes, and Dr. Stefan Weber, MTU’s Senior Vice President of Engineering and Technology.
The collaboration brings together Airbus’ experience with hydrogen-powered aviation, notably through its ZEROe initiative, and MTU’s capabilities in aircraft engine technologies, including its work on the Flying Fuel Cell concept. Airbus recently reaffirmed its focus on developing a fully electric, hydrogen-powered aircraft using a fuel cell engine, and the partnership with MTU builds on this direction.
Under the agreement, the two companies will pursue a three-phase roadmap to develop a fuel cell propulsion system for commercial aircraft. The initial phase involves joint research efforts to mature the necessary technologies, including projects under the Clean Aviation programme. The second phase will focus on aligning both companies' hydrogen research and technology roadmaps. This collaboration could lead to a third phase involving development of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine.
“Our focus on fully electric fuel cell propulsion technology for future hydrogen-powered aircraft underscores our confidence and progress in this domain," said Bruno Fichefeux, Head of Future Programmes at Airbus. "Collaborating with MTU, a leader in engine manufacturing and innovation, is a perfect complement to our own advancements. This partnership will allow us to pool our collective knowledge, accelerate the maturation of critical technologies, and ultimately deliver a revolutionary hydrogen-powered propulsion system for future commercial aircraft. Together, we are not just imagining a sustainable future of flight, we are actively pioneering it."
“As a globally recognised engine expert, we are driven by the vision of a revolutionary propulsion concept that allows virtually emissions-free flight,” said Dr. Stefan Weber, SVP Engineering and Technology at MTU Aero Engines. “Today, we are at the centre of a wide-ranging eco-system of partners aiming to achieve the complete electrification of the powertrain by using fuel cell technology. Partnering with Airbus opens up the possibility to jointly address both technology maturity and platform integration aspects. Our joint efforts in the years to come are the first step in paving the way for a potential product development in the future.”
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