US eVTOL developer Horizon Aircraft and electric propulsion company Zero Avia this week announced plans to collaborate on hydrogen-electric power trains for the Cavorite X7.
The Cavorite X7 incorporates 14 lift fans installed in the wings to providing the thrust for vertical take-off, with sliding panels which hide the fans as the aircraft transitions from hover to wing-borne flight.
Horizon and Zero Avia will work on adapting the ZA600 hydrogen-electric powerplant for the design.
"We are a company that continues to focus on what is best for of our aircraft," said Horizon co-founder and CEO Brandon Robinson. "We have been impressed with ZeroAvia’s recent flight demonstrations of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems and the company’s traction with regulators.
"We are thankful for the opportunity to explore hydrogen solutions for the regional air mobility market which could develop into a viable solution to deliver clean, fast, and highly-efficient air travel.”
ZeroAvia has submitted its first full engine for up to 20-seat planes for certification, and is working on a larger powertrain for 40–80-seat aircraft, with significant flight test and regulatory milestones achieved with the FAA and UK CAA.
“More and more eVTOL companies are looking to hydrogen-electric propulsion as the breakthrough that can extend range potential and durability of electric propulsion systems," said Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO of ZeroAvia.
"Horizon Aircraft has developed an exciting application and performed successful prototype testing, and they are taking another leadership step in exploring hydrogen as a potential propulsion option for the Cavorite X7.”
The Cavorite X7 is being developed for longer-range missions that eVTOLs to be used on short-range urban mobility flights, which will generally require hydrogen power plants rather than rely solely on rechargeable batteries.