H2FLY announced a new business milestone, as it has begun the integration of a liquid H₂ (LH₂) storage system tank into its HY4 aircraft. The integration process commenced following the liquid H₂ tank passing the vibration and LH₂ leakage testing phase at Air Liquide in September.

The announcement marks a significant step forward for Project HEAVEN - an initiative which has set out to design, develop, and integrate a powertrain based on high-power fuel cell and cryogenic technology, into an existing aircraft for testing in-flight operation. The start of the mechanical integration process draws H2FLY closer to achieving higher aircraft ranges, which is critical in the pursuit of achieving true zero-emissions medium and long-haul flight.

H2FLY supplies the complete fuel cell system supporting the HY4 aircraft, along with the integration platform and the overall system architecture and controls of the fuel cell and H₂ storage system. As the development lead, H2FLY plays a critical role in the complete coordination of the system implementation to guarantee each of the system parts is properly adapted, ensuring safe functionality.

The company is joined by the following partners for the HEAVEN project: Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, a cryogenic tank designer and supplier, Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, who will be supporting the integration and demonstration of the tank; DLR, who will support the operation and testing of high-power fuel cell and system architecture.

Integration work is expected to be completed over the coming months. Following the integration of the new H₂ storage system and fuel cells, the aircraft is planned to enter a rigorous program of ground testing early in 2023 and is expected to be the world’s first passenger aircraft to fly using liquid H₂.

Prof. Dr. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of H2FLY said, “Passing the vibration and LH₂-leakage tests marks a big step forward for delivering true zero-emissions flight with increased range - we have now been able to kickstart the mechanical integration process, drawing even closer to this next exciting flight test phase. “For the past 10 years, at H2FLY we have been focused on developing and delivering new technology and now we look forward to completing the integration process so we can begin ground testing in preparation for the world’s first commercial liquid hydrogen-electric aircraft.”