Dovetail to develop electric propulsion system with Hyundai hydrogen fuel cell system

Dovetail Electric Aviation (Dovetail) has released that Hyundai Motor Group’s HTWO is to supply a hydrogen fuel cell system for electric aviation powertrain trials.
HTWO is a fuel cell system-based hydrogen business brand of Hyundai Motor Group. Rex announced in April that it had taken a 20% stake in Dovetail and has been actively working with Dovetail to advance pioneering the conversion of turbine-powered aircraft to electric propulsion, nil-emission propulsion.

Dovetail will use HTWO’s fuel cell system for initial testing in Australia, to be integrated with its Iron Bird, that was successfully tested last February and that integrates a +250kw aviation electric motor with all the required power electronics and controls. The company will run the HTWO’s fuel cell system as a prior step to full-scale trials, and a future first flight as early as next year. This breakthrough will bring the Australian aviation industry one step closer to a greener and more sustainable future.

Under this agreement, Dovetail will utilise HTWO’s proven hydrogen technology from FCEV and apply the learnings to aviation for its proprietary integrated powerplant.

HTWO’s expertise in fuel cell technology, coupled with Dovetail’s proprietary aviation technology, will bring significant advancements to the aerospace industry. This opportunity will allow Dovetail Electric Aviation to continue to develop and refine its electric propulsion system, enhancing it with the power of hydrogen and extending its applicability and value for future operators.