Horizon Aircraft and ZeroAvia announced this week plans to explore using ZeroAvia’s ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain in Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. According to ZeroAvia’s press release, the companies plan to focus the partnership on the regional air mobility market. Horizon has performed untethered flight tests of a large-scale prototype of its fan-in-wing designed aircraft which is designed for vertical takeoff, wing-borne flight, and runway or helipad landings. ZeroAvia has performed flight demonstrations of their hydrogen-electric powertrains. The press release states that the partnership hopes to develop a solution for clean, fast, and efficient air travel.
“We have been impressed with ZeroAvia’s recent flight demonstrations of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems and the company’s traction with regulators. We are thankful for the opportunity to explore hydrogen solutions for the regional air mobility market which could develop into a viable solution to deliver clean, fast, and highly-efficient air travel.” Brandon Robinson, CEO and Co-founder at Horizon Aircraft
According to the press release, Horizon has backing from the U.S. Department of Defense and flight-testing approval from the Canadian regulator. The partnership plans to accelerate research into infrastructure and certification guidelines for Horizon to achieve zero-emissions. ZeroAvia’s press release is available here.