UAM - Hydrogen i hybrid løsning for CityHawk eVTOL - AIN

HyPoint To Provide Fuel Cells for CityHawk eVTOL

Urban Aeronautics this week reached agreement with HyPoint to provide hydrogen fuel cells for its CityHawk eVTOL aircraft. The Israeli company believes that by late 2022 or early in 2023 it might be ready to fly a full-scale prototype with a hybrid-electric propulsion, with a view to a hydrogen-powered version of the six-seat design being ready to enter service between 2028 and 2030.

California-based HyPoint is already partnered with ZeroAvia, which last year started flight testing a hydrogen fuel powertrain system on a Piper M350 piston single and is aiming to re-engine a variety of fixed-wing aircraft seating between 10 and 20 passengers. The company is also partnered with eVTOL developer Bartini.

The CityHawk is based on Urban Aeronautics’ Cormorant unmanned aircraft, which is intended for cargo carrying and a variety of aerial applications. A full-scale Cormorant technology demonstrator is already being flight tested, and the company is evaluating whether the design can be adapted to make room for passengers and a second engine. Hybrid-electric versions of both aircraft are powered by Safran’s Arriel 2N turboshafts, which drive Urban Aeronautics’ ducted fan propulsion system.

A hydrogen-powered version of the CityHawk is expected to have a range of around 125 miles. The hybrid version of the rotorless and wingless design is expected to be able to fly up to around 175 miles.