Aero Engine Corporation Achieves Milestone In Liquid Hydrogen Propulsion
Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has successfully completed a hydrogen-powered flight test, marking a significant milestone in the development of liquid hydrogen propulsion technology. The test, which took place on April 4, 2026, involved the hydrogen-powered version of AECC’s AEP100 powertrain mounted on a W5000 unmanned turboprop aircraft. The aircraft flew a 36-kilometre circuit, reaching a speed of 220 km/h and lasting 16 minutes. According to AECC, the AEP100 is the first megawatt-class turboprop engine powered by liquid hydrogen. This development was first reported by AeroTime.