ZeroAvia & Natilus to Develop Hydrogen-Electric Engines for Cargo Aircraft

Natilus, a US developer of autonomous blended-wing body (BWB) cargo aircraft, and ZeroAvia, a zero-emission commercial aviation group, have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop hydrogen-electric engines for cargo aircraft. ZeroAvia’s ZA600 will be the sole hydrogen-electric propulsion source offered for the Natilus Kona aircraft.

The partnership with ZeroAvia will leverage its expertise in hydrogen-electric powertrain technology with Natilus’ design to create a scalable, long-range, and zero-emission air cargo delivery solution.

The Natilus Kona offers increased volume for hydrogen storage, potentially transforming the air cargo delivery industry to one with low-cost, low carbon emissions, while also extending flight range. 

ZeroAvia has conducted eight test flights of its prototype ZA600, 600kW engine in a 19-seat testbed aircraft.

Aleksey Matyushev, Co-founder and CEO of Natilus, says: “Natilus has a long-term commitment to being a responsible steward of our environment, instituting practices that can protect the environment through continual improvements to save fuel and water, reduce waste, air emissions, noise, and material consumption. The Natilus-ZeroAvia partnership goes further, bringing the talents and innovations of the two companies together to deliver much needed innovation in the air cargo delivery industry and multiple solutions for our customers.”

Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, adds: “Given Natilus’ impressive order book and corresponding technology development, working together on integrating the ZA600 as a line-fit engine for Kona can multiply the emissions and costs benefits that are already interesting cargo operators. We all depend on air cargo operators, and some communities depend on them absolutely, so improving the economics and environmental impacts of these operations while increasing service levels is a massive opportunity.”

Based in the US and the UK, ZeroAvia is developing two engine classes initially, targeting a 300-mile range in 9–19 seat aircraft by 2025, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027.