Rostec starts developing hydrogen-powered aircraft engines

United Engine Corporation of Rostec has started a programme to develop hydrogen-powered engines for both aviation and ground applications.

Rostec headquarters.  Image:  Wikipedia

The project was launched in the summer of 2021 with forming a working group and launching R&D work.

 

The working group was formed from specialists of UEC subsidiaries. Development of the power plants will be carried out together with various scientific and industrial institutes, as well as with organisations that have comprehensive experience using hydrogen as fuel.

 

“To reduce the carbon footprint in aviation and the oil and gas industry, the use of hydrogen fuel is one of the most promising fields of development. We are considering two main technologies: direct combustion of hydrogen fuel in modified gas turbines and electrochemical conversion of fuel into electrical energy using fuel cells,” said UEC Chief Designer Yury Shmotin.