Los Angeles based Hydroplane has signed its second US Air Force Small Business Technology Transfer contract, marking the close of the innovative hydrogen powerplant technology start up’s seed round. This contract allows the company, in partnership with the University of Houston, to demonstrate an engineering model hydrogen fuel cell based powerplant in a ground and flight demonstration. Hydroplane is on track to fly its demonstrator aircraft in 2023.Hydroplane’s 200 kW modular solutions are designed to replace existing combustion powerplants in today’s existing single engine and urban air mobility platforms, while simultaneously delivering a significant improvement in range, endurance, and payload over the battery-powered equivalent. It will also significantly lower operating costs compared to conventional piston engines. Use cases for this technology include flight training, commercial transportation, air taxi, cargo transportation, humanitarian aid, and government support.Hydroplane hydrogen fuel powerplant benefits:Electric aviation with regional rangeNo battery charging requiredZero carbon emissionsLow operations and maintenance costsReduced noise signatureTo be certified under FAA Part 23, direct replacement for piston power plants with competitive range and installation cost
Los Angeles based Hydroplane has signed its second US Air Force Small Business Technology Transfer contract, marking the close of the innovative hydrogen powerplant technology start up’s seed round. This contract allows the company, in partnership with the University of Houston, to demonstrate an engineering model hydrogen fuel cell based powerplant in a ground and flight demonstration. Hydroplane is on track to fly its demonstrator aircraft in 2023.Hydroplane’s 200 kW modular solutions are designed to replace existing combustion powerplants in today’s existing single engine and urban air mobility platforms, while simultaneously delivering a significant improvement in range, endurance, and payload over the battery-powered equivalent. It will also significantly lower operating costs compared to conventional piston engines. Use cases for this technology include flight training, commercial transportation, air taxi, cargo transportation, humanitarian aid, and government support.Hydroplane hydrogen fuel powerplant benefits:Electric aviation with regional rangeNo battery charging requiredZero carbon emissionsLow operations and maintenance costsReduced noise signatureTo be certified under FAA Part 23, direct replacement for piston power plants with competitive range and installation cost