The multi-year project will see ZeroAvia advise KAERI on the design of the system, which could lead to a “full ground test campaign.”

Details remain unclear. However, the hydrogen aviation player said it will use its liquid hydrogen test facility in the UK, set up for the firm’s own component testing.

Most existing liquid hydrogen tanks are metallic. By shifting to composite, the tank weight could be significantly reduced. With liquid hydrogen requiring roughly four times the volume of jet fuel, savings in weight could help increase payload and range.

While ZeroAvia has focused on commercialising gaseous hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft, the company secured £10.8m ($14.4m) from the UK government last year to develop a liquid hydrogen management system.

KAERI’s move to develop a liquid hydrogen system is unclear. However, the South Korean government’s roadmap supports hydrogen vehicles, power generation, and aviation technologies.

ZeroAvia’s Head of Hydrogen Management Systems, John Gallagher, said the partnership “promises” to advance liquid hydrogen aviation capabilities.

The agreement comes after ZeroAvia cut its workforce and limited the near-term scope of its work after a smaller-than-expected fundraising round.

Around 50% of the company’s workforce faced redundancies, and its focus will be limited to certifying only a fuel cell system by 2027 – a backtrack on plans to certify a full powertrain.

Hydrogen’s role in aviation has become less clear in recent years, with major challenges associated with the fuel’s cost, low energy density, and infrastructure demands.