ZeroAvia and Hybrid Air Vehicles sign an agreement to collaborate on the production of the zero-emission Airlander

• The companies will explore equipping the Airlander with four ZeroAvia hydrogen-electric ZA600 engines

• With plenty of hydrogen storage space in the fuselage, the hydrogen-electric Airlander will have unparalleled range and capability for an electric aircraft

ZeroAvia and Hybrid air vehicles Airlander 10 announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding to partner on the development of a hydrogen-electric version of the Airlander 10.

The Airlander 10 is a new type of hybrid aircraft that uses a combination of air lift, aerodynamic lift and vector propulsion, with a payload of 10 tons and a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles. The initial Airlander 10 will be powered by four diesel engines, providing an emissions reduction of up to 90% compared to aircraft of similar capacity. The integration of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric propulsion system will enable complete zero-emission operations on board aircraft carrying more than 100 passengers, as well as reduce maintenance costs.

ZeroAvia’s first generation 600-kilowatt hydrogen-electric powertrain – the ZA600 – has already passed numerous regulatory milestones, garnered hundreds of pre-orders and engaged launches with airlines working to integrate the system into more conventional fixed-wing aircraft for lower cost and more environmentally friendly flight. The company conducted a flight test of a prototype on a 19-seat aircraft.

With ample space for hydrogen storage in the hull, the Airlander represents an excellent choice for the adoption of the first generation of certified hydrogen technologies that are already close to market entry: hydrogen storage, low-temperature fuel cell power generation, and electric propulsion systems well advanced on their certification journey. This partnership will build on HAV’s previous R&D work to explore electric propulsion for the Airlander.

As part of the agreement, the two companies will also study the applicability of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric technology to larger aircraft developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles, and evaluate planned Airlander 10 operations to determine hydrogen fuel infrastructure requirements.

Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, said: “ZeroAvia has led the development of hydrogen electric propulsion systems and has made impressive progress commercially, technically and with regulators. Our goal has always been to offer our customers a completely zero-emissions version of the Airlander, for efficiency and environmental reasons, and this partnership with ZeroAvia will help us in that direction.”

Val Muftakhov, Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, said: “The Airlander is another exciting airframe to fit into our engine portfolio that has the potential to open up a whole new market in air travel due to its range, efficiency and ability to operate from almost anywhere. Like ZeroAvia, Hybrid Air Vehicles is an innovative aerospace company with exciting manufacturing and growth plans for the UK that can create hundreds of well-paying jobs in different regions of the UK.”

“These two companies expand our UK footprints and manufacturing plans, with a wide range of powerful use cases, including in defence.”