FutureFlight
Conscious Aerospace Steps Up Work on Liquid Hydrogen Propulsion for Regional Airliners
The Dutch start-up is working with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada to convert a Dash 8 Series 300 aircraft to use its Hydrogen Aircraft Powertrain and Storage System.
Conscious Aerospace will install its Hydrogen Aircraft Powertrain and Storage System on a Dash 8 Series 300 aircraft.
Conscious Aerospace will install its Hydrogen Aircraft Powertrain and Storage System on a Dash 8 Series 300 aircraft. (Image: Conscious Aerospace)

After emerging from stealth mode, Conscious Aerospace is stepping up its plans to develop a liquid hydrogen-electric propulsion system. it says the system will be ready for commercial operations on retrofitted regional airliners by 2028, and potentially for new aircraft in the second half of the 2030s. 

The Dutch company recently embarked on a partnership with Canada’s De Havilland Aircraft to retrofit the Dash 8-300 twin turboprop with its fuel cell-based powertrain, which will run on liquid hydrogen from tanks installed in the rear of the fuselage. On April 17, the two companies signed a first-phase agreement to collaborate in the application of fuel cell-based propulsion, with Conscious developing the hydrogen-electric system and De Havilland acting as the system integrator.