noteProject Overview
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global downturn in the aircraft industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects demand for air travel to recover to 2019 levels by 2023, and then, due to economic growth in emerging countries, continue sustainable annual growth levels of approximately 4%. In this context, the aircraft industry can still be considered a growth industry.
The International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO) has adopted a goal of no increase in CO2 emissions from international aviation after 2020, and, as the demand for carbon-neutral solutions rapidly increases, is carrying out technology development related to weight reduction and efficiency improvement of aircraft bodies and engines, mainly through European and U.S. aircraft manufacturers. Furthermore, since Airbus announced its intent to launch a “carbon-neutral aircraft” in 2035 that uses hydrogen fuel and fuel cells, the competition for developing hydrogen aircraft has intensified.
The aim of this project, therefore, is to promote the development of core technologies for hydrogen aircraft, as well as technologies for dramatically lighter primary structural components with complex shapes necessary for next-generation aircraft. Through this project, the global movement toward carbon neutrality is considered an opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of Japan’s aircraft industry. By leveraging Japan’s strengths in core technologies for hydrogen and materials, the aim of the project is also to improve Japan’s level of participation (currently about 20 to 30%) in joint international aircraft development projects.
Project Features
Development of core technologies for hydrogen aircraft
The aim of this project is to develop aircraft engine combustors and hydrogen fuel storage tanks suitable for hydrogen combustion with a tank weight less than twice that for stored hydrogen fuel. In addition, the structure of hydrogen aircraft will be analyzed via testing to confirm the concept of aircraft with a cruising range of 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers.
Development of primary aircraft structures with complex shapes and dramatically reduced weight
With regard to the main wings and other important structural components for small and medium-sized aircraft introduced after 2035, the aim of this project is to achieve the following: 1. Weight reduction of approximately 30% compared to existing aluminum alloy components (weight reduction of approximately 10% when compared to existing composite components), and 2. Strength improvement of 1.1 to 1.2 times the design distortion tolerance to support complex shapes and integral molding and realize further improvements in fuel efficiency.
Project Summary
Budget
Up to 21.08 billion yen
CO2 Reduction Effect (World)
- In 2050
- Approximately 390million tons/year
Economic Effect (World)
- In 2050
- Approximately 1.2 trillion yen/year
Research and Development Targets
Develop core technology indispensable for realizing hydrogen-powered aircraft.
TRL6+
For main wings and other important structural components of small and medium-sized aircraft:
1. Realize weight reductions of approximately 30% compared to existing alloy composites.
Weight reductions of approximately 30%
2. Realize improved strength for complex shapes and integrated moldings and improve design tolerance by a factor of 1.1 to 1.2 times.
3. Realize TRL of at least 6 for items 1. and 2 above.
Assumptions regarding estimates of CO2 reduction effect and economic effect
- For all aircraft expected to be in operation in 2050, 50% of small- and mid-sized aircraft operating on domestic flights (40% of the total) are expected to be replaced by hydrogen-powered aircraft, while the remaining 50% are expected to be electric-powered.
- Technology for weight reduction will be used in the design of airframes used for large aircraft on international flights, with the level of fuel efficiency improvement expected to reach 2%.
- In 2050, CO2 emissions from jet fuel on international and domestic flights are expected to total 1.8 billion CO2t/year.
- In 2050, demand for new aircraft is expected to consist of approximately 80% for narrow-body aircraft and 20% for wide-body aircraft.
- 50% of narrow-body aircraft (or 40% of the total) are expected to be hydrogen-powered and the other 50% are expected to be electric-powered.
- Technology developed under this project is expected to be utilized in 20% of the frames and engines used on hydrogen-powered aircraft and 5% of the frames and engines used on other types of aircraft.
Project Implementing Entities
[Research and Development 1]
Development of core technologies for hydrogen aircraft
- Hydrogen aircraft engine combustor and system technology development
- Liquefied hydrogen fuel storage tank development
- Hydrogen-aircraft architecture concept research
| Theme | Entity |
|---|---|
| Development of core technologies for hydrogen aircraft |
|
[Research and Development 2]
Development of primary aircraft structures with complex shapes and dramatically reduced weight
| Theme | Entity |
|---|---|
| Research on weight reduction, high production rate, and complex shapes for primary aircraft structures using composites |
|
| Development of lightweight structures using thermoplastic composites |
|