The Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects (RFARP) expects to be ready to start flight testing an aircraft powered by an electric motor using superconductor materials by 2021. According to deputy director general Vitaly Davydov, the state-backed defense research agency is working jointly with superconductor developer SuperOx to develop an all-electric eVTOL aircraft.

The partners say the aircraft’s 500 kW motor will use high-temperature superconductors (HTSC), which significantly reduce electrical resistance to deliver power more efficiently. The motor will use as yet unspecified materials that are cooled by liquid nitrogen.

According to RFARP, the agency and SuperOx expect to develop an HTSC-electric core that would be suitable for all-electric or hybrid-electric powerplants for a variety of existing fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as for new generation eVTOL designs.

According to Oleg Panteleev, head of analysis with Russian aviation consultancy Aviaport, HTSC technology has significant potential as an enabler for electrically-powered aircraft. However, he told AIN that its developers need to be ready to evaluate the new powerplant on both ground and flying testbeds. He also maintained that more powerful electric motors and higher capacity batteries will be required for their widespread use to be feasible in terms of range and operational flexibility.

In any case, the outcome of the joint RFARP/SuperOx testing of the superconductor motor technology could prompt Russia’s domestic aerospace industry to invest in electric aircraft development. State-backed United Aircraft Corporation would likely play a prominent role in any such moves.

Meanwhile, the European Union-funded Advanced Superconducting Motor Experimental Demonstrator program plans to develop a motor with a power-to-weight ratio of 20 kW/kg and a 99 percent efficiency rating for conducting electricity.

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