The Center for Power Optimization for Electro-Thermal Systems (POETS) has been awarded $2.7 million from the Federal Aviation Administration's Fueling Aviation's Sustainable Transition (FAST) program to upgrade its testbed for larger aircraft power and propulsion systems. The upgrades will facilitate research on high-powered electrified airplane technologies with the goal of decarbonizing aviation and mitigating environmental impacts. The expansion includes a 1-megawatt motor drive test stand, a furnace, and a cryogenic system to study component responses to extreme heat and cold, as well as tools for assessing reliability and endurance of components. These upgrades will allow POETS to test systems capable of powering small regional jets and study potential future innovations like superconducting machines. The testbed will also focus on studying tolerance of electromagnetic interference, a crucial aspect in the transition to electric aircraft engines. The partnerships with industry giants such as Rolls-Royce, RTX, Boeing, and the Air Force Research Lab will further enhance POETS' capabilities and sustainability for future research in aviation propulsion systems.