World’s first megawatt-class hydrogen turboprop engine completes maiden flight test

China has achieved a significant milestone in hydrogen aviation with the successful test flight of a large unmanned cargo aircraft powered by a megawatt-class hydrogen turboprop engine.

The inaugural flight took place on Saturday at an airport in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, marking the first real-world test of such a high-powered hydrogen aviation engine. The aircraft, weighing around 7.5 metric tons (16,535 pounds), was equipped with the domestically developed AEP100 engine, representing an important advance toward cleaner and more sustainable aviation technologies.

During the 16-minute flight, the aircraft traveled approximately 36 kilometers (22 miles), reaching speeds of about 220 km/h (137 mph) and maintaining an altitude of roughly 300 meters (984 feet). According to the Aero Engine Corporation of China, the engine performed reliably and remained stable throughout the mission. After completing all planned maneuvers, the aircraft landed safely.

This achievement represents the world’s first successful flight using a megawatt-class hydrogen turboprop engine, moving the technology beyond laboratory testing into practical application. Project experts described the flight as a major step from experimental research toward real-world engineering deployment, demonstrating that hydrogen propulsion can be effectively integrated into aircraft systems.