FAUST

The LUFO project FAUST is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, with the aim of developing electrically driven, engine-independent hydraulic pumps and eco-friendly fluids to create more efficient and sustainable future aircraft.

Authored on

Wed, 02/11/2026 - 13:45

FAUST LOGO

In the current generation of passenger aircraft flying worldwide, hydraulic systems are operated with large, engine-dependent aggregates (Engine Driven Pumps). Furthermore, there is currently no substitute for the hydraulic fluid that offers better environmental compatibility while maintaining the same performance.The implementation of future aircraft architectures with the expected new propulsion technologies will require a decoupling of the propulsion system from the hydraulic system architecture. In addition, the available installation spaces for the aggregates are becoming smaller, which necessitates corresponding solutions. The increasing demands on the operating fluids used will make the use of today's hydraulic fluids increasingly difficult.

The project aims to significantly reduce the climate impact of the next generation of short- and medium-haul aircraft through innovations in hydraulics. FAUST will develop solutions for component miniaturization to enable their installation in various spaces (e.g.  highly swept wings). Central to this is establishing the prerequisites for High-Efficiency Power Packs (HePP), which decouple the generation of hydraulic energy from the engine (eliminating Engine Driven Pumps). This improves engine efficiency and reduces the integration and testing effort for the systems. Additionally, environmentally harmful materials will be replaced. A new, more environmentally friendly hydraulic fluid will be investigated, and alternatives to lead-containing alloys will be developed to comply with future regulations. All measures contribute to a more sustainable aviation sector.