Japan has unveiled the largest hydrogen fuel cell project for aircraft with massive government funding, as part of its relentless pursuit to develop more sustainable aviation technologies.

The initiative aims to build a massive fuel cell propulsion system with a capacity of 4 megawatts, the largest of its kind under development in the world, within 5 years. The cost of the project is 15.9 billion yen ($103.3 million), funded 90% by the Japanese government. IHI will develop and test the fuel cell, focusing on improving energy density and reducing storage space. The project aims to achieve technical readiness level 6, i.e. Building a prototype and testing it in an operational environment. The project also includes developing liquid hydrogen storage systems and integrating them with aviation systems.

Toray Industries was awarded 4.1 billion yen ($26.7 million) for a research project focused on developing fuel cell technologies suitable for aircraft with 80 seats or more. Toray aims to develop durable, heat-resistant materials that improve fuel cell performance at elevated temperatures. It also aims to develop high-density, lightweight materials to facilitate carrying large fuel cells on aircraft. This project is scheduled to be completed by March 2031.