Clean Aviation Launches Four Projects for Next-Gen Regional Aircraft by 2035

The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU), a European public-private partnership, has officially launched four new projects to accelerate the development of next-generation sustainable regional aircraft. The initiatives aim to deliver new aircraft technologies ready for an Entry Into Service (EIS) by 2035, supporting the European Union's goal of climate neutrality. According to the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, the program's overarching goal is to enable new aircraft that reduce emissions by at least 30% compared to 2020 technology.

These projects represent a critical implementation phase of the EU's research and innovation agenda, funded under the Horizon Europe framework. The effort is central to the European Green Deal, which mandates a significant reduction in transport emissions. The technologies developed are projected to be integrated into aircraft that could constitute 75% of the world's commercial airline fleet by 2050, underscoring the long-term strategic importance of the program.

The Four Pillars of Development

The CAJU's strategy focuses on maturing key technologies through four distinct but interconnected projects, each addressing a critical aspect of future aircraft design.

1. HERA (Hybrid-Electric Regional Architecture): This project is focused on developing the foundational concepts for a hybrid-electric regional aircraft. The target for HERA is an aircraft with a capacity of 50-100 seats designed for routes up to 1000 km. This segment is considered an ideal platform for pioneering new low-emission propulsion systems due to shorter mission profiles.

2. AMBER (innovAtive deMonstrator for hyBrid-Electric Regional application): Building on the architectural work of HERA, the AMBER project will develop and validate a megawatt-class hybrid-electric propulsion system. The system will integrate a turboprop engine, an electric motor, and a fuel cell. According to the AMBER project's fact sheet, the demonstrator aims to achieve a fuel burn reduction of at least 50% compared to state-of-the-art regional aircraft from 2020.

3. HEAVEN (Hydrogen Engine Architecture Virtually Engineered Novelly): Led by Rolls-Royce, the HEAVEN project is dedicated to adapting the company's UltraFan engine architecture for use with hydrogen and hybrid-electric technologies. This initiative signals a strong industry focus on developing hydrogen combustion as a viable pathway to eliminate in-flight CO2 emissions, complementing efforts in hydrogen fuel cell development.

4. TheMa4HERA (Thermal Management for the Hybrid Electric Regional Aircraft): A critical enabler for hybrid-electric flight is managing the significant heat generated by new electrical components. TheMa4HERA is tasked with developing advanced thermal management systems. The project aims to handle additional heat loads ranging from 300 to 1000 kW produced by components such as batteries, power electronics, and fuel cells. The goal is to advance key heat exchanger technologies to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5.

Funding and Strategic Context

The Clean Aviation program is a substantial financial undertaking, structured as a partnership between the European Commission and the European aeronautics industry. The total budget includes €1.7 billion from the EU and an additional €2.4 billion in private funding, as analyzed by PNO Innovation. A recent funding call for proposals in early 2026 will provide up to €329.5 million in new EU funding to further advance these and other related projects.

This funding model is designed to de-risk the high costs associated with disruptive aerospace innovation. The program's objectives are directly aligned with the ambitious targets set by the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) in its Flightpath 2050 vision, which calls for a 75% reduction in CO2 and a 90% reduction in NOx emissions.

In a statement, Axel Krein, Executive Director of Clean Aviation, highlighted the program's importance. “Pivotal to achieving the transformation to net-zero aviation will be the development of disruptive solutions that brings momentous gains in aircraft energy efficiency coupled with low- or zero-carbon energy sources,” he said. “The launch of TheMa4HERA will kick-start the necessary work to drive a step change in aircraft performance, supporting the delivery of EU Green Deal ambitions.”

Why This Matters

This coordinated launch of four technology-specific projects marks a shift from high-level strategy to concrete engineering. It establishes a clear, funded roadmap for European aerospace manufacturers and their supply chains to develop the core technologies—hybrid-electric propulsion, hydrogen engines, and advanced thermal management—required for the next generation of regional aircraft. The 2035 target sets a definitive timeline for the industry, signaling that the transition to sustainable aviation is accelerating from research into industrial application. More information is available on the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking Official Website.

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