Beyond Aero has reached Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) for its hydrogen-electric BYA-1 propulsion system, validated by a full-scale test campaign in a representative environment at its Toulouse facility.

Backed by $50 million, Beyond Aero’s new integrated hydrogen-electric powertrain lab is among the three most powerful worldwide. The facility replicates three representative channels with multiple fuel cell providers and delivers up to 1,200 kW of capacity. It also incorporates hydrogen compression, filling and storage at 700 bar using Type IV tanks, and provides certification-ready test benches.

The company has also secured Universal Hydrogen’s intellectual property, patents, flight and digital data, and components including electric turbocompressors, in a transaction representing $90 million of prior investment. Beyond Aero says this acquisition has accelerated its certification path and reinforced in-flight expertise.

Validation was conducted with suppliers including EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, FEV Aerospace, BrightLoop Converters, AVL and Dassault Systèmes. Airbus Protect supported safety and certification analysis.

Beyond Aero is working with EASA through Pre-Application Services to ensure test data aligns with CS-23 certification standards.

“We’ve now reached TRL6, our hydrogen-electric propulsion works at full scale, with ground and in-flight data conditions,” says CEO Eloa Guillotin.

“At EKPO we’re driving hydrogen solutions for a sustainable future,” adds Dr. Stefan Dwenger, CCO of EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH.

“With this pre-application contract, EASA establishes an early and structured engagement with Beyond Aero on hydrogen propulsion technology,” says Gianluca Mele, programme manager at EASA.