Airbus has announced it will launch a new research hub at its base near Bristol to develop hydrogen technologies as part of efforts to decarbonise aviation.
The aerospace giant has revealed it will increase its innovation footprint in the UK by establishing its Zero Emission Development Centre (ZEDC) at Filton.
The firm said the facility would look to deliver a “cost-competitive cryogenic fuel system” and support its ambition to develop the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.
It added the new centre would accelerate skills and knowledge of hydrogen-propulsion technologies in the UK.
Airbus said the ZEDC would benefit from a £685m government fund, recently granted over the next three years to national research programme the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), to support the development of zero-carbon and ultra-low-emission aircraft technologies.
The company said work had already started in South Gloucestershire on technologies it said were “crucial” to the performance of future aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen, which scientists and aerospace experts have said could provide cleaner, more sustainable flight.
Sabine Klauke, Airbus chief technical officer, said: “Establishing the ZEDC in the UK expands Airbus’ in-house industrial capabilities to design, develop, test and manufacture cryogenic hydrogen storage tanks and related systems for the ZEROe project across Airbus’ four home countries.
“This, coupled with our partnership with ATI, will allow us to leverage our respective expertise to realise the potential of hydrogen technology to support the decarbonisation of the aviation industry.”
The centres adds to Airbus’ existing research and technology footprint in the UK, as well as the work on cryogenic liquid hydrogen tanks being done at Airbus’ existing ZEDCs in Spain, Germany, France and Germany.
All Airbus ZEDCs are expected to be fully operational and ready for ground testing with the first fully functional cryogenic hydrogen tank during 2023, and with flight testing starting in 2026.
It also follows the opening of a £40m research and testing facility at its Filton site last year, jointly funded by the ATI and Airbus, to develop eco aircraft wing design, landing-gear systems and fuel system designs, including low-carbon technologies.
At an event in London held on Wednesday (May 25) Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury also revealed the company was starting construction of a new £40m headquarters at Oxford Airport for its helicopters business.
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