Hydrogen-electric powertrain developer ZeroAvia has expanded an agreement that calls for Mitsubishi’s MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ) to provide engineering services and aircraft integration to support the certification of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powertrain for retrofit onto regional jet airframes. The agreement announced on May 25 follows a memorandum of understanding signed last October that outlined the MHI subsidiary’s contribution of engineering for certification of the engines to FAA Part 33 rules and advisory services to evaluate the feasibility of a green retrofit program for regional aircraft.
ZeroAvia characterizes as “well advanced” its plans to certify its 600kW ZA600 powertrain for 10- to 20-seat aircraft for entry into service in 2024. The company also has begun work on the ZA2000, a two- to five-MW modular powertrain meant for certification in 40- to 80-seat turboprops by 2026. The ZA2000RJ powertrain will expand that technology to regional jets as early as the late 2020s, said ZeroAvia.
