Foreign Media: China has made a major breakthrough in hydrogen-powered aircraft development. A 7.5-ton unmanned cargo aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel turboprop engines successfully completed its first flight in Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, flying for 16 minutes over a distance of 36 kilometers at a speed of 220 km/h and reaching an altitude of 300 meters. The aircraft is equipped with the most powerful hydrogen-powered turboprop engine in its class worldwide, delivering an output power exceeding 1 megawatt. The engine was developed by AVIC Powerplant Group and had already completed all ground tests on March 29.
This maiden flight marks that China has established a complete technical chain for hydrogen-powered aviation engines—from core components to full-aircraft integration, laying a foundation for the industrial application of hydrogen energy in the aviation sector.
This progress comes amid global energy market turbulence triggered by Iran's energy crisis, highlighting the strategic significance of China's push toward green aviation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861643582496778/
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