Ground Demonstration of Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Architectures for the Ultra-efficient SMR aircraft
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU) is a successful public-private partnership between the European Commission and the European aeronautics industry that is on the way to achieving its environmental performance targets.
The Clean Aviation JU will develop disruptive new aircraft technologies to support the European Green Deal, and climate neutrality by 2050. These technologies will deliver net greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of no less than 30%, compared to 2020 state-of-the-art. The technological and industrial readiness will allow the deployment of new aircraft incorporating these technologies no later than 2035, enabling 75% of the world’s civil aviation fleet to be replaced by 2050. The aircraft developed will enable net CO2 reductions of up to 90% when combined with the effect of sustainable ‘drop-in’ fuels, or zero CO2 emissions in flight when using hydrogen as energy source.
Clean Aviation’s aeronautics-related research and innovation activities, focusing on breakthrough technology initiatives, will contribute to the global sustainable competitiveness of the European aviation industry. European aviation research and innovation capacity will be strengthened through the partnership, enabling new and ambitious global standards to be set.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Development and demonstration of hybrid-electric propulsion architectures for the Ultra-Efficient SMR aircraft. This topic covers the demonstration of hybrid-electric sub-systems integrated into ducted or unducted engines at TRL5 through ground demonstrations with an aim to demonstrate the benefits from such propulsion architectures targeting at least 5% CO2 emissions reduction at aircraft level, with a clear roadmap towards TRL6 by 2030 supporting a future product launch compatible with an EIS by 2035.
Detailed Call Description
The configuration of the Ultra-Efficient SMR aircraft concept proposed in Clean Aviation is expected to maintain a tube and wing design and target EIS by 2035. Such an aircraft concept should have a capacity of around 200-250 pax with a design range up to 3000NM, operated on a typical mission of 800NM at cruise speed Ma 0.78. Disruptive technologies related to the airframe are expected to be integrated alongside the ultra-efficient propulsion system, resulting in a 30% CO2 emission reduction in total at aircraft level, on a typical mission, not taking into consideration the SAF net-effect. The Clean Aviation SMR propulsion will rely on advanced propulsion architectures – including both ducted and unducted engine concepts – to deliver the efficiency and emission reduction targets of the Ultra-Efficient SMR aircraft concept with EIS by 2035. Across all the concepts, hybrid-electric functionalities are expected to offer major potential for reducing CO2 emissions, improving transient performance, and optimizing system operation.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
70%
The total indicative funding for the topic is €60.000.000
The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking may award up to 3 projects with funding depending on the outcome of the evaluation.
The maximum EU contribution per project funded under this topic is €20.000.000.
Proposals requesting an EU contribution above the maximum amountspecified above will be declared non-eligible and will not be evaluated.
A minimum of 15% of the total EU contribution shall be allocated per proposal to Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) 64, Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and/or Universities having a beneficiary status.
Proposals not meeting this condition will be declared non-eligible and will not be evaluated.
The condition should be met by involving entities under such a legal status in the meaning of Horizon Europe rules across EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe.
Thematic Categories
- Energy
- Environment and Climate Change
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Transport
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Educational Institutions
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility For Participation Notes
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.