The HERFUSE project, which stands for Hybrid Electric Regional Fuselage & Empennages, is a new, pioneering 3-year Clean Aviation research project focused on revolutionizing regional aircraft propulsion systems. HERFUSE aims to design innovative fuselages and empennages for future Hybrid-Electric Regional aircraft (HER) to reduce Green House Gases (GHG) emissions. It addresses layout, materials, components, manufacturing, and assembly challenges, integrating features for hybrid-electric propulsion and complementary systems to improve weight, durability, aerodynamics, and operations.
HERFUSE continues to deliver cutting-edge research. Work on adhesively bonded joints and integration of novel energy systems into hybrid-electric fuselages was presented at the 8th ICEAF in Kalamata, Greece, advancing structural reliability and innovative solutions for regional aircraft.
HERFUSE journey at the 15th EASN – European Aerospace Science Network Conference continues, with multiple presentations and posters highlighting contributions to fuselage and tailplane design, structural workflows, and hybrid-electric integration. The team achieved record participation, showcasing the project’s commitment to advancing aviation technologies.
Our coordinator, Fabrizio Leone, actively participated in the EASN roundtable alongside other Clean Aviation projects, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to accelerate hybrid-electric aircraft development.
Key project milestones include the Test Strategy for the Fuselage and Selection of Reference Aircraft, paving the way to TRL 5 at the fuselage barrel level. The 2nd Annual Meeting in Brussels reviewed progress, technical advancements, and next steps, with constructive guidance reinforcing project strategies.
While we usually speak the language of aviation, this summer, with seaside vibes, we connected across the sea from Patras to Soria Saint, celebrating our winner, Peio Olaskoaga, and fostering community collaboration.
HERFUSE remains dedicated to sustainable aviation, leveraging strong partnerships, rigorous research, and community engagement to drive hybrid-electric innovation forward.
Join our social media community on LinkedIn, YouTube, and HERFUSE official website, learn more about the project’s scope and progress, and be part of the journey as we pave the way for hybrid electric regional flies.
The project is supported by the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and its members.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor Clean Aviation JU can be held responsible for them.