MTU Completes Preliminary Design of 1.2 MW Hydrogen-Electric Powertrain for Regional Aircraft

MTU Completes Preliminary Design of 1.2 MW Hydrogen-Electric Powertrain for Regional Aircraft

(IN BRIEF) MTU Aero Engines has finalized the preliminary design of the megawatt-class HEROPS hydrogen-electric powertrain, marking a critical milestone in scaling its Flying Fuel Cell™ technology. Coordinated by MTU under the EU’s Clean Aviation programme, the consortium has established subsystem requirements and will now advance design optimisation through year-end. In 2026, MTU will construct and test a 1.2 MW ground demonstrator in Munich, perform component and wind-tunnel tests on the integrated nacelle, propeller, and heat-exchanger system, and complete full powertrain trials. The project, involving leading industry and research partners, aims to deliver climate-neutral regional aircraft propulsion by 2035 in support of the European Green Deal.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 16-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — MTU Aero Engines AG (ETR: MTX), is proud to announce that the HEROPS (Hydrogen-Electric Zero Emission Propulsion System) project has successfully completed the preliminary design phase of its groundbreaking megawatt-class hydrogen-electric powertrain. Under MTU’s coordination, the consortium has defined and validated the essential functional, performance, safety, and interface requirements for all subsystems, confirming the core feasibility of scaling our advanced Flying Fuel Cell™ technology.

“Concluding the initial design review is a major achievement for MTU and our partners,” said Dr Dominik Wirth, Chief Engineer of the HEROPS programme. “We’ve laid the technical foundation to refine and optimise this powertrain concept through the end of the year, transitioning from design into detailed development.”

As the project advances, MTU Aero Engines is building a 1.2 MW ground demonstrator at our Munich facility. In 2026, we will conduct rigorous component testing and comprehensive wind-tunnel evaluations of the integrated engine nacelle, propeller, and heat-exchanger assembly to validate real-world performance. These activities will culminate in full powertrain trials prior to the project’s completion by year-end 2026.

HEROPS is part of the EU’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking under Horizon Europe, aligning with the European Green Deal’s climate-neutral aviation goals. MTU leads a consortium that includes MT Aerospace, RTX’s Collins Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik, Eaton, the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), and the Vienna University of Technology. Together, we are pioneering hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion for regional aircraft operations targeting entry into service in 2035.

“We are honoured that Clean Aviation has invested in our vision,” added Dr Wirth. “This project exemplifies MTU’s commitment to sustainable aviation innovation and sets the stage for the next generation of zero-emission regional airliners.”

Media contact:

Martina Vollmuth
Press Officer Technology
Phone: +49 (0)89 1489 5333
Cell: +49 (0) 176 100 17 133
martina.vollmuth@mtu.de

SOURCE: MTU Aero Engines AG