Lyte Aviation has selected H3 Dynamics to provide the hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system for its planned 40-seat VTOL aircraft. Announcing the agreement on July 24, the companies said they will also work together to install H3 Dynamics’ self-contained electrolyzer systems at airports where Lyte expects its Skybus LA-44 to operate.
With provisional sales agreements in place covering 23 of the aircraft, Lyte is working on possible early use cases in Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Africa. It said the pre-orders are worth €920 million ($998 million).
Lyte is also working on a cargo version called the SkyTruck LA-44C that will have a payload of around 9,900 pounds, as well as a 19-seat version for corporate customers. The company said it has been able to expand the range for some applications, such as humanitarian aid, to 2,000 kilometers (1,086 nm). This is twice the standard projected range of 1,000 kilometers.
Toulouse-based H3 Dynamics has previously developed auxiliary power unit fuel cells for the Airbus A330 airliner. It will help Lyte to integrate the propulsion system into the LA-44 aircraft.
H3 Dynamics already supplies a range of self-contained hydrogen-electrolyzer systems capable of producing green hydrogen on demand. “As we are already in close collaboration with airports in Europe and the U.S., we need to make sure that our customers can benefit from efficient and easily available hydrogen infrastructure solutions,” said Freshta Farzam.