Airbus has unveiled a hydrogen-powered prototype with four electric engines, resembling old propeller planes from the outside – but inside, it hides futuristic technology based on fuel cells.

The propeller system has been influenced by Airbus’s A400M military transport plane, “probably the most advanced propeller-powered product today”, he says.

The aircraft’s four propellers each have a fuel-cell stack powering an electric motor. Airbus has completed a similar 1.2-megawatt system, but the next version will be more powerful.

The propeller system has been influenced by Airbus’s A400M military transport plane, “probably the most advanced propeller-powered product today”, he says.