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Design and analytical studies conducted since 1972 have shown that liquid hydrogen offers attractive advantages as a fuel for transport aircraft. These advantages, based largely on theory and analysis, need to be demonstrated in order that LH2 can be considered a credible candidate when nations address their energy futures and the air transport industry selects a fuel to replace petroleum-base Jet A. A research and development program plan to accomplish this goal has been written and approved by a multinational group of concerned industry representatives. The program encompasses development of advanced methods of manufacturing and liquefying hydrogen; components and systems needed to store, measure, control, and distribute LH2 effectively at airports; as well as components and systems required to use it efficiently in aircraft.

Commercial transport aircraft must be capable of operating worldwide; accordingly, a fuel of uniform and high quality must be available worldwide. Hydrogen is proposed as fuel for advanced design transport aircraft in the era subsequent to 1990 because of the problems of availability and cost forecast for conventional jet fuel derived from petroleum. The result of design studies to evaluate the feasibility, practicability, and potential advantages/disadvantages of using hydrogen as fuel in both subsonic and supersonic transport aircraft are summarized. The design requirements and characteristics of aircraft tank and fuel systems to satisfactorily contain and control liquid hydrogen fuel are described.