The World’s First Megawatt Hydrogen Turboprop Engine Accomplishes Maiden Flight in China

In April 2026, an unmanned cargo aircraft weighing 7.5 tons accomplished its maiden flight in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, China. The aircraft, powered by a hydrogen-fueled engine, traveled 36 kilometers at a speed of 220 kilometers per hour, reaching an altitude of 300 meters. This flight marks a significant advancement in China's green aviation development, featuring the AEP100, the world's first megawatt-class hydrogen engine developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC).