The HERA project continues to demonstrate strong technological and strategic progress toward delivering the next generation of ultra efficient hybrid electric regional aircraft. As highlighted in the December 2025 Newsletter, the initiative brings together 38 beneficiaries and 52 organizations across Europe to accelerate breakthroughs in sustainable propulsion, aircraft architectures, and system electrification, to achieve up to 50% fuel burn reduction and 86–90% greenhouse gas emissions reduction when coupled with SAF or other non-fossil energy sources. Its research spans advanced wing and fuselage concepts, novel thermal and electrical systems, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) methodologies, and the early integration of hydrogen and battery electric hybrid propulsion into regional/short range aircraft platforms. These efforts were prominently showcased at major scientific venues—including the AIAA Scitech Forum—where Leonardo and Airbus presented advances in eco design, hybrid electric architectures, MDAO frameworks, morphing wing technologies, and sustainability-driven system innovations, underscoring HERA’s central role within the Clean Aviation ecosystem.
Complementing these technical achievements, the project successfully completed its Annual Review Meeting on 23–24 February 2026, hosted at Leonardo’s Pomigliano d’Arco premises in Naples, Italy. The two day review featured a comprehensive agenda covering project objectives, KPIs, risks, certification pathways, aircraft concept progress (UCB, UERA, P ZERO), work package results, and cross-project collaboration within Clean Aviation. Participants also joined a cultural visit, a social dinner, and a guided tour of the ATR production line, with convenient transport and logistical support arranged for on-site and remote attendees. The successful completion of the review reaffirms the consortium’s strong coordination and its readiness to advance toward upcoming milestones, marking another significant step in shaping the “third era of aviation” through hybrid electric regional flight.
Stay tuned for more exciting news from HERA including the upcoming HERA Newsletter, Issue 3 with all the latest technological advancements.
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.