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Future aircraft

Future aircraft

On the path towards cleaner, more sustainable flight

The aviation industry has committed to carbon-neutral growth starting from 2020. But this ambitious target cannot be achieved using existing aircraft technologies. Alternative propulsion systems and energy sources, and innovative solutions to existing challenges, will help us to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in future aircraft.

Our future aircraft projects

Airbus unveils the three zero-emission concept aircraft known as ZEROe. These concepts include turbofan, turboprop, and blended-wing body configurations that are powered by hydrogen propulsion. All ZEROe concepts are hydrogen-hybrid aircraft

ZEROe

These concept aircraft fuelled by hydrogen technology enable Airbus to explore how to best deliver on our ambition to develop the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.
BLADE is organized through Europe’s Clean Sky aeronautical research program. The BLADE project involves 21 European partners with 500 contributors, including GKN Aerospace: designer of the starboard laminar flow wing panel, and Saab: designer of the port wing segment.

BLADE

This breakthrough laminar aircraft demonstrator aims to reduce wing friction by 50%, which could lower in-flight CO2 emissions by up to 5%. BLADE is currently being tested in our A340 Flight Lab.

Bluecopter

Bluecopter

This helicopter demonstrator features a ground-breaking “eco-mode” that enables single-engine operation, which generates fuel savings of up to 40%. Further enhancements will also reduce CO2 emissions and noise.

The CityAirbus was presented on March 11 at the City of Ingolstadt to members of the German government and the public. Citizens had the opportunity to ask Airbus experts questions about the vehicle and the concept of Urban Air Mobility. Airbus and Ingolstadt believe that a dialogue between manufacturer, authorities and the public are a prerequisite for the successful introduction of Urban Air Mobility in the infrastructure of cities. Airbus and Ingolstadt are partners in the framework of the EU’s EIP-SCC initiative for smart cities.

CityAirbus

This all-electric, four-seat, multicopter demonstrator focuses on advancing remotely piloted electric vertical take-off and landing flight (eVTOL).
Airbus’ E-Fan X, the more powerful successor to the smaller all-electric E-Fan aircraft, is scheduled to take its first flight in 2021 as a demonstrator testing a 2 MW hybrid-electric propulsion system

E-Fan X

E-Fan X is a major milestone on Airbus' decarbonisation journey. This first-of-its-kind demonstrator has provided invaluable learnings on serial hybrid-electric propulsion.

Racer

Racer

This helicopter demonstrator has the potential to reach speeds of 400 Km/h, which is significantly faster than standard helicopters. The advanced design also means it will be 10-15% more efficient than standard helicopters.

The SeaWing automated kite, which uses parafoil technology to tow large commercial ships, has been ordered from AirSeas – a small Airbus startup – to equip Airbus’ own roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ships that transport large aircraft parts among its production sites

SeaWing

This automated kite acts as a traction wing to tow merchant vessels, thereby reducing emissions and fuel burn of ships transporting Airbus aircraft sections.

Vahana – an innovative all-electric, single-seat, tilt-wing vehicle demonstrator from Airbus’ Silicon Valley outpost, A3 – is advancing the concept of self-piloted vertical-take-off-and-landing flight

Vahana

This high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) is powered exclusively by solar power. Replacing one conventional UAV with a Zephyr saves approximately 2,000 tons of fuel per year.
Zephyr

Zephyr

This high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) is powered exclusively by solar power. Replacing one conventional UAV with a Zephyr saves approximately 2,000 tons of fuel per year.
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