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Among the revolutionary propulsion concepts to emerge from MTU is an electric propulsion system: the Flying Fuel CellTM (FFC). It is set to be deployed soon on short-haul routes in regional air traffic. As its efficiency improves, the flying fuel cell should be in operation on short- and medium-haul routes as of 2050, further reducing the climate impact of commercial aviation.

In the FFC, hydrogen and oxygen react to form water, thereby releasing electrical energy. A highly efficient electric motor then uses this energy to drive the propellor through a gearbox. The electric motor is being developed by MTU and eMoSys GmbH. The Starnberg-based electric motor developer and small-volume manufacturer has been a part of MTU since April 2023.

The Flying Fuel CellTM does not produce any emissions of CO2 or NOx or particulates—its only emission is water. It thus reduces the climate impact of aviation by as much as 95 percent - i.e., to virtually zero. And since the propellor is then the sole source of noise, the FFC will also help achieve massive noise reductions.

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Development of the FFC

MTU is developing FFC technology as a highly integrated system using state-of-the-art development methods and tools. One of its partners is the German Aerospace Center (DLR). MTU also cooperates with DLR for validation purposes, which includes subsystem and system tests as well as the use of a ground-based validation vehicle. Wind tunnel tests provide the necessary validation of design and simulation. Together with MT Aerospace, a complete liquid hydrogen fuel system is being developed. In close cooperation with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), MTU is working on certification requirements, as new standards, certification regulations and verification methods must be defined to ensure safe operation of the new FFC propulsion concept.

 

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A brief guide: How the Flying Fuel Cell™ works

MTU is working on a revolutionary propulsion concept, the FFC, which aims to achieve virtually emissions-free flight through complete electrification of the powertrain.

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Flying Fuel Cell: Potentially full electrification for virtually emissions-free flight

The FFC does not produce any emissions of CO2 or NOx or particulates. Since its only emission is water, this propulsion concept is virtually emissions-free.

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