Post #3727838

This is the most concrete concept I’ve seen for a hydrogen fuel cell aircraft that uses open fans / propfans driven by electric motors. This design solves problems with both propellers and ducted turbofans. Propellers hit a ceiling when their blade tips exceed the speed of sound which the tapered blades of a propfan solve. Ducted turbofans have gotten larger and larger to achieve higher bypass ratios, which means the duct gets heavier and heavier. Propfans ditch the duct but keep the fan. Hydrogen provides better energy-per-weight (specific energy) than jet fuel. So this design saves weight both on the fuel and the airframe. A lighter aircraft is a more efficient aircraft and efficiency is one of the top priorities in aviation. https://www.flightglobal.com/business-jets/2026/03/beyond-aero-picks-pusher-props-over-ducted-fans-as-it-advances-hydrogen-business-jet-past-pdr/