De Havilland signs MoU to develop hydrogen-electric engine program
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ZeroAvia to develop a line-fit and retrofit program for De Havilland’s aircraft models using hydrogen-electric propulsion in both new and in-service aircraft.
De Havilland Canada will have the option to purchase 50 ZeroAvia hydrogen-electric engines as part of the MoU.
The companies intend to work together on a service bulletin for the Dash 8-400 type certificate offering ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engine as a line-fit option for new aircraft, as well as developing an OEM-approved retrofit program for in-service aircraft. This program will target the use of ZeroAvia’s 2MW+ powertrain (ZA2000) for Dash 8-400 aircraft.
The intention is to identify a suitable existing route utilising the aircraft and aim for entry into service within the next five years, the companies said in release.
There are 625 Dash 8-400s in the global fleet and the turboprop aircraft has logged over 11 million flight hours and transported more than 550 million passengers.
In October, ZeroAvia announced a development collaboration with Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines, for a hydrogen-electric powertrain capable of flying 76-seat regional aircraft in excess of 500 nautical miles, starting with initial deployment into a full-size Dash 8-400 aircraft.
