New Hydrogen Engine Test Shows Future of Aviation

An anonymous reader writes to mention Boeing has successfully completed tests for the engine that will power HALE, the new prop plane that will be able to stay aloft for long periods of time. "The wünderengine, developed by the Ford Motor Company, went for three days under the simulated conditions of a 65,000-feet flight, which is definitely better than a Taurus and apparently exceeded their expectations on fuel economy. Chris Haddox at Boeing's Advanced Systems said that while it will be several years before HALE flies, the key to this aircraft is the propulsion system and this recent test was very promising."

Comments

Among other things...

[raddan]

And despite its light appearance, the aircraft will be able to carry a 2,000-pound multi-sensor payload, plus a custom fender, flame stickers for an extra speed punch and/or synthetic leather finish. ... and say, a bomb.

Hate to be the downer of the party, but that's the way our leaders think. Gain the "high ground."

Great

[Colin Smith]

How much energy does it take to produce the hydrogen?

Hydrogen is not an energy source, it's an energy storage system, and not a very good one.

Re:Really surprising

[Radon360]

Maybe it's a logistics thing. You can essentially produce hydrogen on-site from an electrical generation power source, say a nuclear reactor onboard an aircraft carrier. Instead of having a carrier resupplied with jet fuel, av-gas or whatever from a supply ship, they just make what they need onboard. Improved fuel efficiency then just helps sell the idea.

Not saying that's the reason, just speculation on my part.

Re:Really surprising

[Cussin_IT]

Actualy, I think this has more to do with weight ratios. A vehicle with a highly efficent motor will go farther and require fewer support stops than with an inefficent motor, even though they (vehicle+fuel)weigh the same. For unmanned vhicles, this means fewer support personel on the ground being shot at, leading to fewer injurys. Honestly, if the milatary is going to work at something, fewer friendly injurys is a worthy goal.

Re:hydrogen combustion at 65,000 feet?

[damn_registrars]

Did you know that once you have an account you can log in just by clicking on a URL with a token:
Ahh, don't go a burst the AC's bubble. He's riding high on who-knows-what. He's so damn sure that he's in the right and everyone else is dead wrong that at this point he wouldn't sign up for an account here even if we told him he could have Rob Malda's ID here.