Recently, the AEP100 liquid hydrogen-fueled turboprop engine, independently developed by the hydrogen aviation power team of the AECC Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute, successfully completed ignition and performance commissioning tests under ground-based test conditions. Throughout the tests, all parameters of both the engine and the liquid hydrogen delivery system remained normal, with stable operation under full conditions, marking the first time in China that a megawatt-class liquid hydrogen-fueled aviation engine has achieved full performance compliance.
Given its extremely high energy density and zero-carbon emission characteristics, liquid hydrogen is widely considered an ideal pathway for achieving deep decarbonization in the aviation industry. These tests have validated the technical feasibility of liquid hydrogen-fueled aviation engines, indicating that China has overcome key technologies for liquid hydrogen-fueled aviation turbine power. This lays a solid foundation for transitioning liquid hydrogen turbine power from the experimental stage to engineering applications.
Moving forward, liquid hydrogen aviation engine technology is expected to find initial applications in areas such as unmanned aerial logistics and regional aviation, gradually extending to mainline aviation in the future. This will activate a trillion-yuan-level industrial chain spanning green hydrogen production, hydrogen liquefaction, cryogenic storage and transport, and refueling infrastructure, driving collaborative innovation in high-end equipment manufacturing and new materials industries. This will foster a powerful trend where breakthroughs in advanced aviation technology lead the development of strategic emerging industries.