Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Airbus is stepping up its work on hydrogen fuel tanks for airliners by setting up a pair of Zero-Emission Development Centers (ZDEC) at Bremen in Germany and Nantes in France. The facilities will aim to establish a cost-competitive approach to manufacturing the cryogenic tanks needed for the Zero E hydrogen-powered airliner that the European airframer is aiming to bring to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-09-21/airbus-commits-hydrogen-airliners-entering-service-2035">market in 2035</a>.

 


In today’s announcement, Airbus said the ZEDC units will be fully operational by 2023. Their initial goal is to have some liquid hydrogen storage tanks to be used for a first flight test scheduled for 2025.

 


According to Airbus, its Bremen site already has extensive experience with liquid hydrogen systems through its work supporting the group’s Defence and Space business and the Ariane space division. This facility will focus on system installation and cryogenic testing of the tanks.

 


The Nantes facility specializes in metallic structures used around the center wing boxes of aircraft. It will be responsible for developing metallic and composite technology to be integrated into the hydrogen tanks. This operation will be supported by engineering expertise at the nearby Nantes Technocentre.

 


The fuel tanks will be a safety-critical component in the planned Zero E airliners. Liquid hydrogen is more challenging from the point of view of storing as it needs to be kept at minus 418-deg&nbsp;F. The gas needs to be liquefied to be efficiently stored in the aircraft, and the tanks need to be able to withstand repeated thermal and pressure cycling. Initially, the tanks are likely to be metallic, but Airbus is exploring the potential to use carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites.

 


Meanwhile, last week, Airbus joined with aircraft engine maker Safran, Dassault Aviation, French aerospace research institute ONERA, and the French transport ministry to launch flight trials to assess the compatibility of unblended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with single-aisle airliners, their engines, and fuel systems. The planned flights will be conducted towards the end of 2021 with funding from the French government’s Plan de relance aéronautique Covid recovery fund.

 


According to the partners, the VOLCAN project (a French acronym for "fly with new alternative fuels"), the tests will be the first in which inflight emissions will be measured on an aircraft burning 100 percent SAF. They will involve an A320neo aircraft powered by CFM Leap-1A turbofans. Helicopter engines will also be tested.

 


Safran’s involvement will focus on compatibility studies related to the fuel system and the adaptation of the engines. ONERA will analyze the compatibility of the SAF with aircraft systems and will be in charge of handling test results. Dassault Aviation will contribute to the material and equipment compatibility studies and verify the susceptibility of SAF to biocontamination.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Airbus Starts Work on Hydrogen Fuel Tanks for Airliners

Airbus has set up Zero Emissions Development Centers in France and Germany to develop cryogenic hydrogen fuel tanks for its planned Zero E airliners.

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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