Lufthansa Technik transforms old A320 into field lab for hydrogen tech

A decommissioned Airbus A320 is being given a new lease of life in the service of science.

The Hydrogen Aviation Lab, Hamburg’s new field laboratory for testing maintenance and ground processes for future hydrogen-powered aircraft, was recently unveiled.

Lufthansa Technik has prepared the aircraft. Over the next few months, the Hydrogen Aviation Lab will be fitted with a full suite of test systems as well as an internal tank for liquid hydrogen and an onboard fuel cell, paired with supporting ground-based hydrogen infrastructure.

Senator Michael Westhagemann comments: “With the Hydrogen Aviation Lab, Hamburg has embarked on a great project. It will make a valuable contribution to enabling the use of hydrogen as a fuel for aviation.