FASTER-H2: Key technologies for climate-neutral short and medium-haul aircraft
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esploro
FASTER H2 Logo
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esploro
Duration: 2023-2026
FASTER-H2: Key technologies for climate-neutral short and medium-haul aircraft
Project goals: Development of an ultra-efficient and hydrogen-capable airframe
The FASTER-H2 project (Fuselage, Rear Fuselage and Empennage with Cabin and Cargo Architecture Solution validation and Technologies for H2 integration) will validate, down select, mature and demonstrate key technologies and provide the architectural integration of an ultra-efficient and hydrogen enabled integrated airframe for targeted ultra-efficient Short/Medium Range aircraft (SMR), i.e. 150-250 passengers and 1000-2000 nautical miles range.
Propulsion technologies for climate-neutral aviation: drop-in and non-drop-in fuels
To enable climate-neutral flight, aircraft for short and medium-range distances have to rely on ultra-efficient thermal energy-based propulsion technologies using sustainable drop-in and non-drop-in fuels. Besides propulsion, the integration aspects of the fuel tanks and distribution system as well as sustainable materials for the fuselage, empennage are essential to meet an overarching climate-neutrality of the aviation sector.
Influence of hydrogen and sustainable propulsion technologies on aircraft architecture
Green propulsion and fuel technologies will have a major impact on the full fuselage architecture, including the rear fuselage, the empennage structure as well the integration of systems for the chosen energy source are concerned (H2, direct burn, fuel cell). Not only do the specific properties of hydrogen necessitate a re-consideration of typical aircraft configurations, requiring new design principles formulation and fundamental validation exercises, but they also raise a large number of important follow-on questions relating to hydrogen distribution under realistic operational constraints and safety aspects.
Validation of hydrogen distribution under realistic operating conditions
The project will explore and exploit advanced production technologies for the integrated fuselage / empennage to reduce production waste and increase material and energy exploitation with Integrated Fuselage concept selected (maturity TRL3/4) until end of first phase in 2025. An anticipated route to TRL6 until end of the Clean Aviation programme in 2030 will ensure entry-into-service in 2035.
DLR Institute of Structures and Design: Development of safe structures and design guidelines
Our Institute is investigating the overall design with regard to crash topics and is developing structures to safely integrate a hydrogen tank located in the aircraft fuselage into the concept. In addition, design guidelines are being developed that enable effective assembly using thermoplastic joining processes to reduce weight and cost of a novel aircraft configuration.
