Industry Airbus and CFM to develop hydrogen combustion technology

A strategic partnership agreement has been signed between aircraft manufacturer Airbus and CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. Aim of the collaboration is to perform a hydrogen demonstration programme that will be incorporated onboard an Airbus A380 by the middle of this decade.

The companies will collectively work on developing hydrogen combustion technologies. For this, ground and flight tests will be performed where one engine is fuelled by hydrogen. This comes in preparation of the entry-into-service for the first zero-emission aircraft by around 2035.

For the project, Airbus and CFM International will use one of Airbus´ testbed A380s, which will then be equipped with liquid hydrogen tanks at the manufacturer´s facilities in France and Hamburg-Finkenwerder, Germany.

Further aims of the project is it, to define the requirements for hydrogen propulsion systems, oversee test flights and to test the hydrogen engine on the Airbus A380 platform during cruise phase. For the partnership, CFM will modify the combustor, fuel system and control system of a GE Passport turbofan engine.

This engine was selected “because of its physical size, advanced turbo machinery, and fuel flow capability. It will be mounted along the rear fuselage of the flying testbed to allow engine emissions, including contrails, to be monitored separately from those of the engines powering the aircraft. CFM will execute an extensive ground test program ahead of the A380 flight test,” stated the company.

Gaël Méheust, president & CEO of CFM, added: “Bringing together the collective capabilities and experience of CFM, our parent companies, and Airbus, we really do have the dream team in place to successfully demonstrate a hydrogen propulsion system.”

Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technical Officer, commented: “By leveraging the expertise of American and European engine manufacturers to make progress on hydrogen combustion technology, this international partnership sends a clear message that our industry is committed to making zero-emission flight a reality.”

As signed in October 2021, Airbus and CFM seek to achieve aviation industry net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and this latest project is a testament to the commitment both companies show to make that goal reality.