"Hydrogen-Powered Airplane, Demonstration in 2025" Hyundai Motor and Rolls-Royce Join Forces

Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce (left), and Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, are taking a commemorative photo after signing the MOU for AAM development cooperation at the UK International Airshow on the 18th (local time).

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Hyundai Motor Group and global engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce have agreed to develop and demonstrate a hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft by 2025.

Jung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, and Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on future air mobility (AAM) cooperation on the 18th (local time) at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. According to the MOU, Hyundai Motor Group will contribute hydrogen fuel cell technology, while Rolls-Royce will bring its expertise in aviation and certification fields. Chairman Jung and CEO East also toured the Hyundai Motor Group UAM business unit Supernal exhibition booth at the event and experienced the UAM interior concept mockup (prototype).

AAM is a concept encompassing urban air mobility (UAM) using vertical takeoff and landing aircraft as well as regional air mobility (RAM). It also includes various infrastructures, services, and platforms. Developing aircraft using eco-friendly power sources is considered a key element.

Rolls-Royce supplies engines to civil aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus, and also produces military aircraft engines and marine power generation systems. Hyundai Motor Group is one of the few automakers that mass-produce hydrogen fuel cell trucks globally for the first time and manufacture and sell hydrogen passenger cars.

According to the MOU, they will jointly conduct research until 2025, including demonstrating an electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells by 2025, developing hydrogen fuel cell and battery propulsion systems for RAM aircraft under development by Hyundai Motor Group, and battery propulsion systems for UAM aircraft developed by Supernal.

Shin Jae-won, head of Hyundai Motor Group’s AAM division, said, "We have successfully supplied hydrogen fuel cell systems in the automotive sector and are exploring the feasibility of hydrogen propulsion technology in the aerospace field," adding, "Hydrogen fuel cells are a core technology that will help the global aviation industry achieve carbon neutrality by 2050."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.