Mako Promises Viable Regional Airline Range with Electric Superconductor Propulsion System
The UK-based startup is seeking to optimise existing superconductor technology to develop its Forerunner family of electric-ducted-fan engines to power flights of up to around 600 km.
Electric propulsion innovator Mako Aerospace is seeking fresh seed funding to support plans to get a prototype of a ducted-fan engine flying as part of a technology demonstration on a regional airliner. The UK-based startup has already bench-tested an early prototype of its Forerunner superconducting propulsion system, running it at just 1 percent of its anticipated power rating.
The work conducted so far by the five-strong team of aerospace, mechanical, and electrical engineers has been funded with some $500,000 from California-based venture capital investors. Mako is now looking to increase the size of its Scotland-based workforce as it prepares to officially launch the Forerunner at an event in Edinburgh on October 22.
