Airbus announced last week that it will test an A380 with hydrogen combustion technology, which could represent the beginning of a new beginning of carbon neutral travel in the aviation market.

Airbus signed a partnership agreement with CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, on Friday to collaborate on a hydrogen engine demonstration program that will take off in the middle of this decade. The objective of the program is to test a hydrogen-powered direct combustion engine on the ground and in flight, in preparation for the entry into service of a zero-emission aircraft by 04.

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Flight demonstration of Airbus' first hydrogen-powered combustion engine is expected to take place in mid-2026

The demonstration will use a test flight of the A380 equipped with liquid hydrogen tanks prepared at Airbus at its facilities in France and Germany. Airbus will also define the hydrogen propulsion system requirements, oversee the flight tests and supply the A380 platform to test the hydrogen combustion engine in the cruise phase.

CFM International (CFM) will modify the combustor, fuel system and control system of a GE Passport turbofan to run on hydrogen. The engine, which is assembled in the US, was selected for this program because of its physical size, advanced turbomachinery and fuel flow capability. It will be mounted along the aft fuselage of the test bed to allow engine emissions, including contrails, to be monitored separately from those of the engines powering the aircraft. 

CFM will run an extensive ground test program prior to the A380's flight test. “This is one of the most significant steps taken by Airbus to usher in a new era of hydrogen-powered flight since the launch of our ZEROe concepts in September 2020,” said Sabine Klauke, Airbus Technical Director.

US-Europe Partnership

Along with Airbus, the hydrogen demonstration partnership includes CFM International, which is jointly owned by GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines.

"By leveraging the expertise of US and European engine manufacturers to advance hydrogen combustion technology, this international partnership sends a clear message that our industry is committed to making zero-emission flying a reality," said Airbus Technical Director Sabine Klauke. 

President and CEO of CFM highlights the importance of green hydrogen

“Hydrogen combustion capability is one of the foundational technologies we are developing and maturing as part of the CFM RISE Program,” said Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM.

Airbus Americas President and CEO Jeff Knittel said the flight test aircraft will be a modified Airbus A380 – currently the world's largest passenger aircraft – equipped with four liquid hydrogen tanks that will fuel a GE Passport turbofan engine located along the aircraft's aft fuselage. The overall flight test plan is still being determined, according to Airbus, but current plans call for the demonstrator's first flight by the end of 2026.