MTU Aero Engines Achieves Milestone in Kerosene-Free Flight Technology for Regional Aircraft
Munich, July 28, 2026 – MTU Aero Engines, a leading German aircraft engine manufacturer based in Munich, has announced a significant breakthrough in its efforts to develop kerosene-free flight. The company’s innovative Flying Fuel Cell (FFC) system, designed to power regional aircraft using hydrogen and fuel cells, has successfully completed its initial hydrogen and air supply tests. This achievement marks a pivotal step towards sustainable aviation, with the potential to eliminate carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and soot particle emissions from aircraft.
The FFC system operates by feeding hydrogen on one side and oxygen from the ambient air on the other into a fuel cell. This process generates electricity for an electric motor, which in turn drives the propeller. The primary byproduct of this propulsion method is water, offering a stark contrast to traditional kerosene-based engines.
Integrated Demonstrators and High Efficiency
Following the successful preliminary tests, MTU Aero Engines is now preparing to integrate the system’s components into comprehensive demonstrators. This crucial phase will see fuel cells, hydrogen systems, air supply, cooling mechanisms, control units, and electric motors working together under flight-like conditions for the first time. This integrated testing is essential to validate the system’s performance and reliability.
A single fuel cell generates a low voltage, necessitating the stacking of hundreds of cells to achieve the required power. MTU is currently constructing a near-production stack with a 350-kilowatt output in Munich. Concurrently, a demonstrator for the entire propulsion system is being built to facilitate comprehensive testing.
The company reports that the associated electric motor weighs approximately 40 kilograms and delivers a continuous power output of 600 kilowatts. Impressively, its efficiency exceeds 96 percent. This motor is designed to drive the propeller directly, without the need for complex inverters. While the propeller will remain the primary source of noise, the overall aircraft is expected to be significantly quieter compared to current turboprop-powered planes.
Test Campaigns and Future Expansion
The first test campaigns are slated to commence later in 2026. For this purpose, MTU is commissioning two dedicated fuel cell test stands. One facility will focus on testing individual stacks with capacities exceeding 500 kilowatts, while the second will evaluate the complete powertrain. The latter requires all components to respond to power changes within seconds, ensuring that the fuel cell receives immediate supplies of hydrogen and oxygen when power demands increase, and that the cooling system efficiently dissipates excess heat.
For larger regional aircraft, a single stack will be insufficient. To address this, MTU is collaborating with several partners on the European research project HEROPS to develop a system with a 1.8-megawatt output. This modular technology is designed to scale up to two to four megawatts in the future. Such an electric hydrogen propulsion system could be deployed on shorter regional routes as early as 2035, with subsequent generations capable of handling short and medium-haul flights.
Joint Venture with Airbus and Regulatory Challenges
MTU and Airbus have announced a joint venture to jointly steer the development towards market readiness. Established in early July, this partnership will consolidate development, testing, production, certification, and customer support for fuel cell propulsion systems. Stefan Weber, MTU’s Chief Development Officer, hailed this collaboration as a “decisive milestone” on the path to the first hydrogen propulsion system and a testament to “true European technological leadership.”
Beyond the technical advancements, a significant challenge remains in establishing appropriate regulatory frameworks. Existing certification regulations were developed for kerosene-burning engines, and a hydrogen-powered aircraft with fuel cells and electric propellers presents entirely new requirements. These include secure tanks, pipelines, ventilation systems, and protective concepts for potential leaks.
To address these regulatory gaps, MTU has been working with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) since 2021. Their innovation agreement was extended in February 2026, aiming to advance technical development and regulatory guidelines in parallel. The Munich demonstrator can only become a propulsion system for passenger aircraft once the complete system proves its performance and safety under realistic conditions.
The original article, “Kommt aus München die grüne Zukunft des Fliegens? MTU testet FFC-Wasserstoff-Brennstoffzelle,” by Anne Bajrica, was published by Smart Up News.
