MTU Aero Engines, global industry experts in commercial and military aircraft propulsion, has reached several major development milestones for its Flying Fuel Cell hydrogen-electric propulsion system. Following successful validation of the central hydrogen and air supply systems, MTU is preparing integrated demonstrators for testing while advancing plans with Airbus for the technology’s industrialization and continuing its certification work with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Testing of the liquid hydrogen fuel system and the fuel cell hydrogen system has now been successfully completed. The latter supplies gaseous hydrogen to the fuel cell and was evaluated under rigorous operating conditions. MTU has also validated the central performance and control models for the air supply system at its Munich facility, qualifying both supply systems for the next stages of integration and demonstration.

With the supply systems validated, MTU is turning its attention to integrated testing. The company is building its first near-production 350 kW fuel cell stack and a full-system demonstrator at its Munich facilities. The demonstrator will allow engineers to evaluate the interaction among the propulsion system’s components, subsystems and control functions under representative flight conditions, providing additional data for the development of a future aircraft propulsion system. Both test campaigns are scheduled to begin this year in two dedicated fuel cell test cells now being commissioned in Munich.

Cutaway view of MTU Aero Engines Flying Fuel Cell hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion system. | Aerospace Technology Monthly

The MTU Aero Engines Flying Fuel Cell combines hydrogen fuel cell technology with electric propulsion for future commercial aircraft applications.

MTU is also advancing the Hydrogen-Electric Zero Emission Propulsion System project, known as HEROPS, through the European Clean Aviation research program. Working with its project partners, the company is developing technologies for a hydrogen-electric powertrain that could support regional aircraft beginning in 2035. With the design phase complete, the program is moving into validation of its key technologies. Its centerpiece is a system scaled to 1.8 MW that is being developed and simulated in Munich to demonstrate the feasibility of the propulsion architecture and its scalability to outputs between 2 and 4 MW.

Alongside the technical program, MTU and Airbus intend to establish a joint venture dedicated to developing and commercializing a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell engine. The planned company would bring together the partners’ aircraft, propulsion, hydrogen, engineering, manufacturing and certification capabilities and cover the propulsion system’s complete life cycle, from technology development and testing through production, certification, market introduction and customer support. The agreement remains subject to regulatory approvals and applicable social processes, with the joint venture expected to begin operating in 2027.

“Our ambitious goal is to pave the way for a newly developed, safe, reliable and economical propulsion system that will contribute to climate-neutral aviation,” said Dr. Stefan Weber, SVP Engineering and Technology at MTU Aero Engines. “This project is a crucial milestone on our path to the first hydrogen-powered engine – and this is true European technology leadership. To that end, we want to create a company that covers the entire life cycle of fuel cell powertrains – from development and testing through certification to commercialisation.”

MTU has also renewed its innovation partnership with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency after five years of work to establish a certification pathway for fuel cell aircraft propulsion. Because both the propulsion technology and its related certification standards represent new territory, the partnership allows regulatory requirements to be considered early in the development process rather than after the system architecture has been finalized.

The continued collaboration will support development of the regulatory framework needed for eventual type certification while the demonstrator program generates the performance, integration and safety data required to mature the technology. Together, the supply system validation, integrated demonstrators, HEROPS development program, planned Airbus joint venture and EASA certification work move the Flying Fuel Cell closer to a scalable hydrogen-electric propulsion system for future commercial aircraft.

About MTU Aero Engines

MTU Aero Engines is a globally recognized expert in commercial and military aircraft engines. Its capabilities extend from the development and production of advanced engine components to complete engine assembly and the maintenance of aircraft engines and stationary gas turbines. In fiscal year 2025, the DAX-listed company generated revenues of €8.7 billion. MTU technology provides thrust in one in three commercial aircraft worldwide, while the company maintains approximately 1,500 engines and industrial gas turbines each year. More than 14,000 employees from over 80 nations work across 20 locations on five continents. For more information, please click here.

Source/Photo Credit: MTU Aero Engines AG

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Molly Bakewell Chamberlin
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