Honeywell Advances Hydrogen-Electric Propulsion with Newborn Power Source Integration
Honeywell Aerospace and its partners in the European Newborn programme have achieved a significant milestone by integrating multiple subsystems into a functioning hydrogen power source capable of generating and supplying electricity for an aircraft.
The milestone advances the consortium towards a complete megawatt-class hydrogen-electric propulsion demonstrator designed to meet aviation requirements. The project, launched in 2023 and funded by the European Union through the Clean Aviation Undertaking, brings together 18 companies from 10 European countries.
Honeywell Aerospace developed a dedicated test platform capable of reproducing a range of aircraft functions during trials of the hydrogen power source. Engineers connected the fuel cells with the remaining subsystems and verified the operation of the complete electrical power source.
The next phase will centre on an integrated ground demonstration in which the hydrogen power source and batteries will supply electricity to an electric motor driving an aircraft propeller.