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GKN Aerospace backs Airbus ICEFlight to advance cryogenic tech for hydrogen flight
GKN Aerospace contributes with hydrogen and electrification expertise, supporting cryogenic tech development from its UK and Netherlands facilities.
www.gknaerospace.com
Airbus-UpNext-engineer-working-on-cryogenic-technologies © Airbus
GKN Aerospace recently joined the collaborative ICEFlight (Innovative Cryogenic Electric Flight) project. The initiative is led by Airbus, through its Tech Hub in the Netherlands and together with its innovation arm Airbus UpNext under the Dutch public-private programme “Luchtvaart in Transitie” (LiT).
ICEFlight will focus on accelerating the maturation of critical cryogenic technologies. Alongside GKN Aerospace, Airbus is also partnering with Cryoworld B.V., Stirling Cryogenics B.V., Futura Composites B.V., the Royal NLR, Delft University of Technology and the University of Twente.
The consortium will collectively explore the use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel source as well as a cold source for the electrical system cooling. This approach aims to enhance the performance of next-generation aircraft powertrains through the integration of advanced electrical technologies, superconductivity and hyperconductivity.
GKN Aerospace will apply knowledge from past projects to mature these technologies. The collaboration will concentrate on the development and rigorous testing of specialised cryogenic cooling and electrical distribution systems.
In addition to the technological innovations to be explored, ICEFlight aims to establish testing facilities in the Netherlands, led by the Royal NLR, to ensure the reliability and validate the performance of the new cryogenic systems. These facilities will help to position the Netherlands as a leader in cryogenic technology, particularly in the development and testing of cooling systems that enable superconductivity and hyperconductivity in aviation, with opportunities to spin off to other sectors.
At the end of the project, the research framework and supply chain will be positioned to provide two critical innovations, namely a cryogenic cooling system and cryogenic electrical network. These advancements will pave the way for more sustainable future developments in aviation.
www.gknaerospace.com
GKN Aerospace recently joined the collaborative ICEFlight (Innovative Cryogenic Electric Flight) project. The initiative is led by Airbus, through its Tech Hub in the Netherlands and together with its innovation arm Airbus UpNext under the Dutch public-private programme “Luchtvaart in Transitie” (LiT).
ICEFlight will focus on accelerating the maturation of critical cryogenic technologies. Alongside GKN Aerospace, Airbus is also partnering with Cryoworld B.V., Stirling Cryogenics B.V., Futura Composites B.V., the Royal NLR, Delft University of Technology and the University of Twente.
The consortium will collectively explore the use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel source as well as a cold source for the electrical system cooling. This approach aims to enhance the performance of next-generation aircraft powertrains through the integration of advanced electrical technologies, superconductivity and hyperconductivity.
GKN Aerospace will apply knowledge from past projects to mature these technologies. The collaboration will concentrate on the development and rigorous testing of specialised cryogenic cooling and electrical distribution systems.
In addition to the technological innovations to be explored, ICEFlight aims to establish testing facilities in the Netherlands, led by the Royal NLR, to ensure the reliability and validate the performance of the new cryogenic systems. These facilities will help to position the Netherlands as a leader in cryogenic technology, particularly in the development and testing of cooling systems that enable superconductivity and hyperconductivity in aviation, with opportunities to spin off to other sectors.
At the end of the project, the research framework and supply chain will be positioned to provide two critical innovations, namely a cryogenic cooling system and cryogenic electrical network. These advancements will pave the way for more sustainable future developments in aviation.
www.gknaerospace.com
