With the help of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), MTU Aero Engines has embarked into an innovative partnership to explore the possibilities for future certification of what MTU terms a “flying fuel cell” (FFC).
MTU’s Clean Air Engine (Claire) technological agenda includes a hydrogen-powered fuel cell as a promising propulsion option on the road to emission-free flying.
The flying fuel cell is a promising future option for zero-emission aviation, and MTU Aero Engines is working to make it a reality. The engine maker is working with the German Aerospace Center DLR to develop and validate a fuel cell powerplant. A Do228 aircraft will be used as a technological platform and flying demonstrator, with a hydrogen-powered fuel cell and a single-sided electric propeller drive being tested in the following years.
The key goals of MTU Aero’s technology roadmap for reducing aviation emissions are as follows: An initial focus will be on improving the Geared Turbofan’s performance using cutting-edge propulsion technologies. The second option is to use as much electric power as possible in the vehicle’s engine.
