Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC demonstrate fuel-to-flight concept at ILA Berlin

Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC are advancing their collaboration to demonstrate a fully integrated fuel-to-flight solution for sustainable and resilient aviation at ILA Berlin. At the centre of the showcase is the combination of the D328eco and D328 Multi-Role aircraft platforms with INERATEC’s modular synthetic fuel production systems, enabling decentralised air operations in remote and infrastructure-limited environments.

The concept is presented within the framework of the EASP AIR I-COP Mission Management system, which integrates surveillance, rescue and communication capabilities. A D328 Multi-Role Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) is on display, alongside a containerised fuel production unit, autonomous refuelling concepts and mission payload capabilities — demonstrating an autonomous operational ecosystem.

INERATEC’s Power-to-Liquid technology produces synthetic aviation fuel from CO₂ and renewable hydrogen directly at the point of use, reducing logistics and increasing operational resilience. Currently, the fuel requires blending with conventional Jet A-1 (e.g. up to 50% SAF), enabling practical deployment today while supporting the transition to higher synthetic fuel shares.

The D328eco platform, designed as a SAF-compatible next-generation aircraft, supports the increasing use of synthetic fuels and demonstrates a pathway towards lower-emission aviation and fully synthetic fuel capability.

Synthetic aviation fuels offer additional operational advantages, including significantly reduced soot and sulphur emissions, contributing to improved climate impact and air quality.

The D328 Multi-Role aircraft, configured for missions such as maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and disaster response, combines advanced sensors, deployable payloads and long-endurance performance — further strengthened by decentralized fuel availability.

Together, Deutsche Aircraft and INERATEC are shaping a scalable, integrated aviation ecosystem, linking aircraft, energy production and operations to enable sustainable, flexible and autonomous mission capability worldwide.

Wolfgang Kuhl, VP Programs and Innovation at Deutsche Aircraft, commented: “At Deutsche Aircraft, we are redefining mission readiness by integrating advanced aircraft platforms with decentralised energy solutions. This collaboration demonstrates how sustainable aviation and operational resilience can go hand-in-hand — especially in remote and demanding environments.”

Maximilian Backhaus, Chief Commercial Officer at INERATEC, stated: “INERATEC offers a solution with off-grid-capable modular production systems and climate-neutral e-fuels. Locally produced energy sources are independent, flexible and sustainable, and make our supply resilient wherever it is needed most. Together with Deutsche Aircraft, we are demonstrating how local fuel production can directly power advanced aviation missions reliably and at scale.”