Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of Airbus, has introduced a new technological demonstrator to expedite the advancement of superconducting technologies for electric propulsion systems in a potential hydrogen-powered aircraft. Referred to as Cryoprop, this demonstrator will incorporate and enhance a two megawatt-class superconducting electric propulsion system that is cooled by liquid hydrogen through a helium recirculation loop. The system was developed by Airbus teams located in Toulouse, France, and Ottobrunn, Germany.
Airbus has dedicated years to the development of superconducting technologies for high-power electric propulsion, reaching a milestone last year with the activation of a 500 kW cryogenic propulsion system. The Cryoprop project aims to validate the capabilities of superconducting technologies for potential use in future aircraft, evaluating safety, industrialization, maintenance, and operations. Additionally, this initiative will enable Airbus to enhance its internal expertise and cultivate a new ecosystem to expedite the rollout of innovative products like superconducting cables, motors, cryogenic power electronics, and cooling systems.
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