FutureFlight
Engine Maker MTU Teams with DLR on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Propulsion Project
The companies will jointly develop the technology for fixed-wing aircraft.
MTU DLR Do228
MTU Aero Engines and DLR intend to flight test their hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system on a Do228 regional aircraft. [Image: MTU Aero Engines]

MTU Aero Engines has joined forces with the DLR German Aerospace Center to develop and validate a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system that they believe could eventually power aircraft as large as the ubiquitous Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 narrowbody airliners. On August 5, the partners signed a memorandum of understanding that will lead to them developing an initial system to be tested on a Dornier Do228 twin-turboprop aircraft.

The combined engineering team will equip an existing 19-seat Do228 with a hydrogen fuel cell and a 500 kW electric propeller engine on one side of its wing. The other side of the wing will carry one of the aircraft’s two Garrett TPE331 engines.