COVER PROFILE
required for the hydrogen production, distribution and infrastructures at airports.” At the same time, aircraft
certification standards are moving fast, just as aircraft technologies are evolving, too. The commercialisation of eVTOL aircraft in particular will be strongly dependent on the way technologies can reduce their acoustic signature and meet stringent certifications for noise. Novel eVTOL aircraft must also demonstrate to certification authorities that overall safety is met and airworthiness requirements are satisfied in order to be allowed to fly. “Transforming technological
breakthroughs into real solutions requires new ways of working that combine the expertise of stakeholders and enable efficient certification processes,” says Singh Kharbanda.
“Regulators are working to establish certification processes for solutions involving disruptive hydrogen technologies. In France, Dassault Systèmes is supporting the aviation start-up Blue Spirit Aero, which relies on the power of hydrogen fuel cells, to be a catalyst in the entry into service in 2026 of such hydrogen aircraft using the 3DExperience platform. New qualification and certification processes for early integration of technologies and disruptive innovations are key enablers for a smooth entry in service of a new generation of sustainable aircraft, and therefore for a timely arrival of expected impacts on climate.”
INDUSTRIALISING NEW TECHNOLOGIES As with any new technologies, challenges are faced due to the novelty and unfamiliarity of hydrogen or
❝ Transforming technological breakthroughs into real solutions requires new ways of working
The aviation sector’s primary focus is on the development of new technologies to meet its net-zero goals
electric systems. Therefore, adoption will be reliant on Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessments to build a roadmap detailing the remaining issues and requirements to improve the maturity of novel aircraft technologies. “This is the case for hydrogen
applications where most of the effort still relies on the low-TRL activities, like research into the design and materials of hydrogen tanks or fuel cells,” explains Belkhichane. “An example of such identification of technical challenges for liquid hydrogen storage in aircraft has been recently made by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) within FlyZero.” In addition to the maturity
assessment of novel aircraft technologies, the industry should also focus on how the system will be used in operation, she adds: “For the industrialisation of eVTOLs for instance, it is all about battery. Battery needs are very different to automotive, because eVTOLs require extremely fast charging capabilities and high-power cell discharging, thus energy density targets are very challenging. Thermal management of aircraft batteries is also a domain that the industry must pay attention to, because of high load conditions during take-off and landing. By making these anticipations,
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