en.Wedoany.com Reported - Airbus and MTU Aero Engines will form a joint venture to develop and commercialize hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. The two parties have reached an updated non-binding agreement based on the memorandum of understanding signed at last year's Paris Air Show. The as-yet-unnamed joint venture is expected to begin operations in 2027, subject to regulatory approval. The two partners stated that this will accelerate the technical development, design, testing, and certification of the system.
Bruno Fichefeux, Head of Future Projects at Airbus, said the planned joint venture is a logical next step for the two companies' shared vision of hydrogen-based propulsion concepts for aviation. Combining the resources and expertise of both companies will create a European powerhouse capable of transforming advanced research into industrialized, certifiable electric propulsion systems. Both companies have existing research projects focused on hydrogen propulsion systems.
Airbus slowed its efforts in early 2025, but fuel cell propulsion research and technology activities under its ZEROe project continue. The project aims to develop an aircraft powered by four 2.4MW electric engines, capable of carrying 100 passengers over a range of 1,000 nautical miles (1,850 km). In early 2026, Airbus stated it had confirmed the feasibility of the concept and will test an integrated 1MW powertrain later in 2026, which is smaller and more compact than the earlier 1.2MW version tested in 2023. Airbus also has an existing joint venture, AeroStack, with ElringKlinger, which is developing aviation-grade fuel cells.
MTU has been advancing two parallel fuel cell propulsion projects. Under its self-funded Flying Fuel Cell program, the German engine specialist is developing a 600kW powertrain, including an electric motor. Meanwhile, through the HEROPS project funded by the EU's Clean Aviation initiative, MTU is leading a consortium to deliver a 1.2MW fuel cell powertrain ground demonstration prototype. MTU also owns electric motor manufacturer eMoSys, which may contribute to the joint effort.
In an interview with FlightGlobal in April this year, Dr. Hauke Ludders, Head of Fuel Cell Propulsion Systems for the ZEROe project, stated that the two parties intend to jointly submit a fuel cell power proposal in response to Clean Aviation's latest call for tenders. Clean Aviation has committed a total of €101 million in funding for hydrogen-related projects in its fourth call, including demonstrations of advanced (fuel cell) propulsion technology modules. The proposal submission deadline is mid-May, with selected projects set to begin in early 2027.
