Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have established a joint venture dedicated to the development and commercialization of a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell engine. The project—expected to start operations in 2027—aims to “cover the entire life cycle of fuel cell powertrains, from development and testing through certification to commercialization,” MTU announced on July 7.

Beta Technologies completed the first operational flights under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program on July 10, carrying manufactured organ products in development by United Therapeutics across a corridor of four airports in Virginia and Maryland. This inaugural eIPP campaign involved the company’s Alia CX300 electric airplane, a conventional takeoff and landing version of the Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft that Beta is also working to certify with the FAA. 

Collins Aerospace’s Engineering Center of Excellence in the UK is now fully operational with a key role in the company’s efforts to develop a new electric thrust reverser actuation system. The RTX group subsidiary announced the full opening of the facility in Wolverhampton on July 9.

Rolls-Royce has no imminent plans to actively continue its exploration of hydrogen propulsion, explaining that “as an engine manufacturer, demonstrating [its] ability to use hydrogen fuel is now done.” Instead, with a recent hydrogen combustion test campaign now concluded, the engine maker suggested it needs to “pace that program to industry development.”

GKN Aerospace and the University of Nottingham are forming a joint venture to exploit motor technology advanced through H2Gear’s hydrogen propulsion research and development program. UK-based HP Drive Technologies will pursue applications in aerospace and other industries such as wind turbine energy production.

Sora Aviation has completed the initial flight test campaign of its subscale demonstrator for its planned 30-seat S-1 eVTOL concept. Over the course of several months, the UK start-up has made dozens of flights with the subscale aircraft to validate its proprietary flight control architecture.

Charter operator Japan Biz Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding with SkyDrive that could lead to the launch of operations with the latter’s three-seat SD-05 eVTOLs. The agreement, signed on July 10", furthers SkyDrive’s effort to work with air operator certificate holders that could support plans for eVTOL air-taxi services.