Overview

• The companies will collaborate under NASA’s AACES initiative to design liquid hydrogen storage and distribution for potential future variants of JetZero’s blended wing-body Z4.
• SHZ says its space-saving, non-cylindrical cryogenic tanks can conform to the Z4’s contours, and it cites 14 related hydrogen technology patents.
• JetZero claims the Z4’s all‑wing architecture can cut fuel burn by about 50% using conventional engines and offers geometry better suited to bulky LH₂ tanks.
• Co-founder Eric Schulz says the plan starts with a conventionally powered Z4 before pursuing a hydrogen-propelled version, with JetZero targeting a 2027 full-scale prototype flight.
• Airbus has slowed its hydrogen-airliner timetable and dropped a 2035 goal, Boeing remains skeptical, and significant infrastructure and certification challenges still stand between prototypes and commercial service.