Regional plane manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft has delivered a D328 turboprop to the German Aerospace Centre to be used as the next flying testbed. The two parties are working together on the “UpLift H2 Aviation” program to develop hydrogen-powered regional aircraft.
Deutsche Aircraft provides D328 for testing
As announced at the 2023 Paris Air Show, the German OEM won the public tender with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) to convert the Dornier D328 into a flying test lab. The regional turboprop will be used to research new hydrogen technologies as the aviation industry strives to minimize its carbon impact through the development of cleaner power sources.
Prof. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board, said,
“The new D328 UpLift research aircraft will perfectly complement DLR’s research fleet as a flying test laboratory for hydrogen technologies and pave the way for a new generation of climate-compatible aircraft in the regional aircraft class. This new fleet member, in close partnership with the aviation industry, the air transport industry as well as SMEs and start-ups, gives DLR the opportunity to test disruptive approaches in the development of new propulsion systems including hybrid-electric concepts based on hydrogen technologies and novel fuels up to the flight test stage.”
Photo: Deutsche Aircraft
Deutsche Aircraft says that, due to its design characteristics, the D328 is ideally suited for “assessing innovative propulsion technologies.” Additionally, as the D328 is used across regional networks around the globe, it gives researchers a good frame of reference when assessing new technologies. The German company is in the process of developing what it deems “the most advanced regional aircraft on the market” in the D328eco – the new aircraft can run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and is slated for a 2026 entry-to-service date.
Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft, added,
“The UpLift Programme and the D328 as a test platform is an important step towards paving the way for the future of the aviation industry. The D328 as a flying testbed platform will be crucial in laying out the groundwork for needed technological advancements.”
Flight tests to start next year
According to a report from RenewablesNow, flight tests with the D328 are scheduled to take place next year after all the necessary conversion work has been completed. Notably, companies lacking their own facilities – particularly startups and small-to-medium enterprises – will have access to the flying testbed to conduct research, helping to accelerate the advancement of hydrogen-powered flight.
Anna Christmann, the Federal Government’s Coordinator for Aviation and Space, commented,
“In order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality in aviation by 2045, technology development needs to gain momentum on a broad front. With the new flying hydrogen test laboratory and its open-source approach, we are taking a new path together with DLR and the industry. We want to collaborate with as many partners as possible to test technologies at an early stage of development during flight.”
Deutsche Aviation added that the D328 test lab will enable researchers to test new propulsion, fuel and system technologies “under real flight conditions” to build a bridge between research and practice.
UpLift H2 Aviation program
UpLift H2 Aviation is part of the ‘LuFo Klima’ initiative which encourages the development of climate-neutral technologies across the German aviation and research industry. The hydrogen test program recently benefited from a €45.2 million ($49.15 million) windfall funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Dr. Jasmin Eberharter, Head of Research and Technology programs at Deutsche Aircraft, said,
“The path towards climate-neutral flights is a joint effort between the whole aviation ecosystem. With UpLift, aviation experts have a significant opportunity to join forces across science and industry, further contributing and accelerating sustainable aviation.”
Do you think hydrogen-powered commercial flight is feasible within the next decade? Let us know your insights in the comments.
Source: RenewablesNow
