Deutsche Aircraft (Deutsche) has delivered a D328 to the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), for a step-by-step conversion into a flying testbed.
The procurement, conversion and use as a flying testbed is part of the UpLift project for research into technologies for the use of hydrogen in aviation. By converting the D328, a classic regional aircraft, into a flying testbed, a bridge will be built between research and practice.
DLR will act as the project manager for UpLift. “With UpLift, aviation experts have a significant opportunity to join forces across science and industry, further contributing and accelerating sustainable aviation,” says Jasmin Eberharter, head of research and technology at Deutsche.
Deutsche is one of the project partners and will contribute its expertise. The plan is to test pioneering propulsion, fuel and system technologies under real flight conditions to speed up research and development. The funding for 2023 to 2025 is part of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) aviation research programme, LuFo Klima, which is how the German government is supporting the aviation industry on its way to CO2 neutrality and climate compatibility.
The D328 provides the ideal platform for demonstrating new components and systems under test since it has a wide stand-up cabin, which allows for various modular options. It also has a 30,000-foot flight ceiling, and upgradeable flight deck and the option to convert to 100% SAF. The possibility of testing SAF and hydrogen or other sustainable energy sources in flight, makes the D328 perfect for this research project.