HEROPS aims to introduce climate-neutral propulsion into regional aircraft by developing MTU’s Flying Fuel Cell (FFC) propulsion

system concept for entry into service in 2035. This disruptive hydrogen-electric propulsion system uses fuel cells as sole power source

and a liquid hydrogen fuel system, without the need for high-power batteries. Integration of both the fuel cell system and the electric

propulsion unit into a compact engine nacelle will ensure an efficient system at high power-to-weight ratio.

HEROPS targets to demonstrate a 1,2 MW propulsion system based on a scalable 600 kW core module at TRL4. The core module and

all further sub-systems will be validated up to TRL5. Complemented by simulation and electrical network testing of the overall

modularised system, scalability to the 2 – 4 MW power level will be confirmed. The certification programme will build upon on-going

certification activities, enabling timely maturation of the aviation-native HEROPS technology against relevant certification

requirements.

The two-phase approach of the overall programme - including extensive development, test and validation cycles at each stage - is

expected to advance the FFC concept to TRL6 for integration and demonstration on a regional aircraft by 2028. It will pave the way for

commercial prototyping and entry-into-service by 2035, delivering a key propulsion technology to reach the European Green Deal’s

objective of climate-neutral aviation by 2050 with 100% prevention of CO2 and NOx emissions and up to 80% reduction of the

climate impact from contrails and contrail cirrus.

The HEROPS project will meet this challenge with a European consortium of aircraft propulsion system integrators, electrical system

experts, key tier 1 suppliers and leading researchers in stack technology, mechanics and propulsion, leveraging relevant and effective

synergies between European and national programmes