One of the main features developed in the project is the combination of the conceptual aircraft design software from the Politecnico di Milano with the design space exploration and system design capabilities at Collins Aerospace. Five aircraft categories ranging from general aviation to long-range commercial transports were evaluated for six different baseline system architectures and different future technology scenarios. An economic and operational analysis evaluated the novel aircraft on different missions, performed a sizing of refueling facilities, and created a business case to assess the economic viability. A regulatory analysis reviewed the current certification regulations and identified gaps to be closed for novel propulsion system architectures.
Based on the assumed technology advancements, the results suggest that parallel hybrid systems (battery and fuel cell-powered) are scalable across the different aircraft category due to the various options of hybridization. In general, the degree of hybridization decreases with range and aircraft size due to the rather low power and energy densities of the electric components.
The studies also showed that hydrogen-based systems (hydrogen combustion and fuel-cell-electric) have the highest potential in terms of mission energy savings with the assumed technology advancements. In this context, 2030 technologies would suffice for smaller aircraft up to regional turboprop, while for larger aircraft, 2050 technologies would be required. On the other hand, the hydrogen-based architectures come with large efforts to close the regulatory gaps and uncertain economic viability in terms of hydrogen production, storage, and logistics.
The results of the project were published via conference presentations and papers such as the European Aeronautics Science Network (EASN) conferences 2021, 2022, and 2023, the World Congress of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimisation (WCSMO) 2023, and the Aerospace Europe Conference ( 10th EUCASS - 9th CEAS) 2023.
