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• Charles Alcock
Australian start-up Stralis Aircraft has ended plans to develop hydrogen propulsion conversions for Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft, citing a lack of funding. The decision removes another early-stage effort from the emerging hydrogen-electric aviation sector and underscores the financing challenges facing alternative-propulsion programs.
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Australian start-up Stralis Aircraft has ended plans to develop hydrogen propulsion conversions for Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft, citing a lack of funding. The decision removes another early-stage effort from the emerging hydrogen-electric aviation sector and underscores the financing challenges facing alternative-propulsion programs.
Stralis, a developer of hydrogen-powered aircraft, is shutting down after saying the slow pace of ecosystem development has weakened commercial demand and impaired its ability to raise capital. The closure underscores the financing pressure facing emerging aircraft technologies before supporting infrastructure and markets mature.
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Rolls-Royce and Reliance Industries intend to partner on the design, development, manufacture and delivery of an indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The companies also plan to establish a dedicated aerospace gas-turbine complex in India, combining Rolls-Royce’s propulsion expertise with Reliance’s manufacturing capabilities.
A Gates-founded firm is backing a startup developing lower-carbon jet fuel produced from hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The investment targets a potentially cheaper pathway to produce clean aviation fuel by converting hydrogen and CO2 into jet-range hydrocarbons, aiming to scale decarbonized fuel supply.
High activity
Heart Aerospace is preparing its first test flight of the full-scale X1 all-electric demonstrator, targeting a hybrid-electric ES-30 entry into service by 2031. ZeAero is launching the hydrogen-powered ZERA-LITE retrofit for Cessna Caravans. Meanwhile, Dovetail Electric Aviation signed a binding customer deal for an electric Caravan conversion, and Air One was unveiled at EAA AirVenture.
MTU Aero Engines has started assembly of the first pre-production 350kW fuel-cell stack for its Flying Fuel Cell (FFC) programme. The demonstrator will undergo evaluations at MTU’s Munich site as the firm positions future collaboration with Airbus on the technology.
Odys Aviation and ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a hybrid-electric power system for the DrN-600 medium-lift cargo unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The MoU targets propulsion and energy integration to support development of the DrN-600 cargo platform.
Electra.Aero says its nine-passenger Ultra Short uses eight electric motors and blown-lift technology for takeoff/landing in under 150 feet, progressing from prototype toward production. Separately, Airbus is advancing its LEIA hybrid-electric testing while MTU develops flying fuel-cell engine technology with Airbus and pursues EASA approval, and books ~$500M in Farnborough engine orders. In the West US, Fundamental Advisors acquired firefighting-and-utility operator BlueSky Helicopters.
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