Flying Vehicle Company Plans Hydrogen-Powered Jet; BMW Backed

A Swiss aviation company plans to create a hydrogen-powered VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing jet.

The concept by Sirius Aviation is to develop a high-performance, zero-emission VTOL aircraft, propelled by a hydrogen-electric propulsion system.

The company aims to create two versions, the Sirius Business Jet for private travel and the Sirius Millennium Jet for commercial aviation. Both would be created by 2025, according to the company.

Sirius is partnering with BMW Group's DesignWorks, Sauber Group, noted for its Formula 1 work and with Alfleth Engineering AG and ALD Group. 

The company still would have to receive airworthiness flight testing certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for any flight testing in the U.S. 

The typical development of flying vehicles involves the creation of a prototype followed by remote flight testing and then translating the learnings into yet another flight test vehicle before any crewed testing.

Sirius, founded in 2021, is not the only VTOL developer aiming at jet travel. Lilium has developed and has been testing its eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) jet for some time. 

Lilium is working with Lufthansa Group and already is producing its Lilium Jet in Germany. Deliveries of the Lilium Jet are expected to begin in 2026. Sirius is aiming for service in 2028.

Related:Flying Taxi Company Starts Jet Production

Others also are looking to hydrogen for flying vehicles. 

For example, LuftCar in Orlando, Florida, is developing a hydrogen-powered eVTOL flying car with a modular design. The LuftCar vehicle can carry up to nine passengers and has a cruise distance range of 300 miles.