Hydrogen aircraft brings low emissions flight to the skies
Australian Government funding is helping local startup, AMSL Aero to develop a new hydrogen-powered aircraft named Vertiia.
The Sydney business received $5.43 million under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Advancing Renewables Program. The project follows AMSL’s development of an electric prototype of the aircraft.
The funding will help AMSL undertake development and certification activities of their hydrogen-powered electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Similar in operation to a helicopter but fitted with 8 rotors, the Vertiia will be capable of carrying up to 5 passengers over distances up to 1,000 km.
Due to its unique configuration, the Vertiia will have applications in emergency services such as bushfire and flood control, as well as air-ambulance capabilities.
The aviation sector is responsible for about 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with nearly a fifth of these coming from short-haul flights under 1,000 km. Vertiia will be one of the lowest cost and cleanest forms of air transport in this flight range.
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