About and Objectives

The main goal of the project Newborn is to create a megawatt propulsion system that uses hydrogen as its energy source, resulting in only water vapor as the sole byproduct.

The NEWBORN project contributes to the Hydrogen Powered Aircraft pillar of Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (H2 powered aircraft | Clean Aviation (clean-aviation.eu)). A new fuel cell powertrain project has launched with the goal of creating a more sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional engines. This project has the potential to revolutionize the way we power aircrafts and reduce harmful emissions.

As part of the Clean Aviation initiative, the European Union has allocated 44,8 mil € for the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft, emphasizing the need to fund research and development projects that can shape the future of the aviation industry.

Part of the Project executed in United Kingdom is funded by UKRI.

44.8 mil. €

The project is Funded by the European Union and supported by the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and its members.

13 Partners

Our partners have a solid experience in Aircraft architecture and integration, fuel cell systems and high power electronics.

3,5 years

From concept through design, development and validation to working demonstrator.

NEWBORN focuses on realistic and commercially viable project outcomes significantly exceeding the Call topic Expected Outcomes. This is the only path to bring a real impact, well beyond paperwork and test rigs. With this in mind, the project applies the steppingstone principle and intends to bring aviation graded fuel cells into the market as soon as safely possible. This will generate operational data to support certification on CS-25 aircraft. It will further provide vital acceptance gap mitigation in the conservative air transport environment.

13 partners with solid experience in Aircraft architecture and integration, fuel cell systems and high power electronics, will work on 28 key enabling technologies. They will be matured and optimized to support an EIS of CS-23 aircraft by 2030 and regional aircraft by 2035.

Project objectives

NEWBORN focuses on development and demonstration of the TRL 4 ground demonstrator of the overall propulsion system using fuel cells technology for electricity generation. The fuel cell power source technology will consist of 1MW modules, which can be paralleled to exceed the 3 MW power levels defined by the CAJU call. The consortium plans to market the technology early aboard the CS-23 19-pax commuter aircraft – 2 systems, total system take-off power of ~2 MW.