The first flight of the strongest aircraft of its type was praised by official media as demonstrating a ‘fully integrated technological process’
A cargo aircraft from China, equipped with a hydrogen-powered engine, has successfully finished its first flight, representing a significant achievement inChina’s efforts towards sustainable air travel.
The 7.5-tonne unmanned aircraft is driven by the world’s strongest hydrogen turboprop of its type, able to produce over 1 megawatt of power.
The engine functioned properly and maintained a favorable state during the 16-minute test flight on Saturday, according to state news agency Xinhua, which quoted the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), the developer.
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The plane traveled 36km (22 miles) at a speed of 220km/h (137mph), operating at an elevation of 300 meters (985 feet). Following the completion of all planned maneuvers, it returned to an airport in Zhuzhou, located in central Hunan province, as stated in the report.
The first successful flight took place a few days following the turboprop’s completion of full ground tests on March 29.
Xinhua stated that the successful first flight indicated China has developed a “fully integrated technological chain” for hydrogen-powered aircraft engines, encompassing all aspects from key components to full engine assembly, “providing the basis for the industrial use of hydrogen energy in aviation.”
Offering a high energy capacity and producing no emissions, hydrogen power presents a viable option for reducing carbon footprints in air travel.
The aircraft’s first flight occurred during a period when the global economy is hovering on the edge of a downturn after theclosing of the Strait of Hormuza major oil transportation corridor, controlled by Iran after the US-Israeli strikes.
Fuel costs have risen sharply, leading several major airlines to introduce extra fuel charges for travelers in response to the financial challenge.
However, hydrogen energy must address various technical and regulatory challenges before it can be used in commercial passenger flights.
Liquid hydrogen needs highly insulated, cryogenic fuel tanks, occupying approximately four times the volume of regular jet fuel to provide the same amount of energy.
Substantial infrastructure development is necessary to achieve economic efficiency in manufacturing.
Currently, regulatory organizations around the globe have not yet developed thorough certification guidelines for commercial hydrogen-powered aviation.
The AECC stated that it would take time for hydrogen-powered aircraft to become common, noting that its new engines were expected to be initially used in thelow-altitude economy, for instance, by transporting air cargo to China’s islands, then progressing to broader applications.
China has previously investigated alternative hydrogen power solutions in the aviation sector. It conducted a successful test of a four-seat aircraft prototype utilizing hydrogen internal combustion engines in Shenyang in 2024.
In the same year, a hydrogen fuel cell turbojet engine developed in China was showcased at the Zhuhai Airshow.
Last year, China conducted a successful trial of a four-seat hybrid aircraft that uses a lithium battery combined with a hydrogen fuel cell system, demonstrating enhanced range and longevity.
Hydrogen-based aircraft engines are still primarily in the experimental stage worldwide, yet the race is intensifying.
In Europe, Airbus is investing heavily in its ZEROe project, with the goal of launching hydrogen-fueled commercial airplanes between 2040 and 2045.
European startups like ZeroAvia and the previously active US company Universal Hydrogen have also carried out successful test flights utilizing hydrogen-electric fuel cell systems, although these companies primarily concentrated on modifying smaller aircraft instead of developing new ones.
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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.
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