ZeroAvia and Marshall Aerospace are to jointly develop hydrogen-electric power and propulsion capability for defense aircraft.
ZeroAvia will combine its hydrogen-electric power and propulsion technology with Marshall’s experience in military aircraft modification, integration, certification and complex fuel systems. The companies said they will seek to integrate scalable, mission-ready hydrogen-electric power and propulsion solutions for defense customers across new and existing aircraft platforms.
Initial work will focus on identifying the highest-impact applications, with priority areas including uncrewed aerial systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, logistics, training and special mission aircraft.
The companies said hydrogen-electric propulsion could offer these applications greater endurance, lower thermal signatures and reduced operating costs compared with battery-only systems.
ZeroAvia has achieved flight-test and regulatory milestones with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the US Federal Aviation Administration, and holds Design Organization Approval focused on hydrogen-electric aviation. According to the company has secured more than 3,000 pre-orders for its ZA600 and ZA2000 propulsion systems from airlines, original equipment manufacturers and defense customers.
“This collaboration is about translating the promise of hydrogen-electric propulsion and power into real operational capability for military users,” said Christine Ourmieres-Widener, executive chair of ZeroAvia. “By combining our validated propulsion technology with Marshall’s deep integration and certification expertise, we can accelerate the pathway to deployment.”
Bob Baxter, CEO of Marshall Aerospace, said the company’s experience in complex aircraft modification and certification positions it to help translate the technology into operational capability for defense customers. Representatives of both companies are attending Farnborough International Airshow this week.
