UK engineering business GKN Aerospace has joined a Dutch Airbus-led consortium to develop cryogenic and electrical systems for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
The ICEFlight project, part of the Dutch ‘Luchtvaart in Transiti’ programme, will explore how liquid hydrogen can serve as both fuel and coolant to support next-generation electric flight technologies, including superconducting systems.
Superconducting systems use materials that conduct electricity with zero resistance, improving the efficiency and reducing the weight of aircraft power systems.
Co-funded by the Dutch National Growth Fund, the four-year project brings together players from the Dutch aerospace sector, including Cryoworld, Stirling Cryogenics, Futura Composites, Royal NLR, TU Delft, and the University of Twente, to accelerate development and testing of critical cryogenic technologies needed for zero-emission flight.
GKN will focus on advancing cryogenic cooling and power distribution systems that can operate under extreme conditions, drawing on its existing work in hydrogen propulsion and aircraft electrification.
Cryogenic cooling is essential, as superconductivity only occurs at extremely low temperatures, often just a few degrees above absolute zero (–273°C).
“This project marks a … step towards enabling the scalability of these innovative solutions into larger aircraft applications,” said Russ Dunn, CTO of GKN Aerospace.
Superconductors also have potential applications in magnetic levitation, reducing friction by allowing aircraft to ‘levitate’, potentially enabling higher speeds.
Airbus research suggests superconducting propulsion systems could be two to three times lighter than conventional alternatives.
Superconducting magnetic levitation occurs because of the Meissner effect, where superconductors expel magnetic fields. Also known as maglev, this idea can help reduce friction and increase lift for aircraft
NASA has also found that superconducting technology could reduce fuel burn by up to 28%, offering considerable energy savings.
The ICEFlight project is coordinated by Airbus through a programme in the Netherlands and its innovation division Airbus UpNext. It is one of five projects currently running under the Airbus Tech Hub banner, designed to fast-track the development of “disruptive” aerospace technologies.
“ICEFlight is a prime example of the innovations we focus on with the Airbus Tech Hub,” said Marloes van Put, Head of Airbus Tech Hub in the Netherlands. “By bringing together the brightest minds and cutting-edge technologies within our local ecosystem, we aim to accelerate the maturation of critical cryogenic solutions.”
In addition to maturing key technologies, ICEFlight aims to establish new testing facilities in the Netherlands, led by the Royal NLR, to validate the performance and reliability of the cryogenic systems. These will support the development of superconducting and hyperconducting systems for aviation, with potential applications in other high-performance sectors.
At the end of the project, the Dutch supply chain is expected to deliver a cryogenic cooling system and an electrical distribution network designed for hydrogen-electric aircraft.
“After a very successful start … last year, we have now five projects up and running. In the years to come, we are planning for even more,” said Rob Postma, CEO of Airbus Netherlands.
