Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus, and
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, Toshiba Group’s energy arm, will cooperate and mutualise experience on superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft.
In the quest to decarbonise the aviation industry, hydrogen-powered aircraft are one of the most promising solutions to achieve ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050. Superconducting technologies offer a unique advantage for these aircraft, using -253°C liquid hydrogen as a fuel but also to efficiently cool the electric propulsion systems. Cryogenic technology could allow for a nearly unimpaired power transmission within the electric systems of the aircraft, significantly improving their energy efficiency and performance.
Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus senior vice president and head of disruptive R&T, said: “Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors. Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that could unlock new design possibilities, in particular for Airbus’ future hydrogen-powered aircraft. This partnership represents a natural and essential step in advancing superconducting motor technology to meet the needs of the aerospace industry.”
Tsutomu Takeuchi, Toshiba’s corporate officer, responsible for the Power Systems business, and director of Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation, said: “Toshiba’s expertise in superconducting technology for high current flow, motor drive technology for precise current control, and advanced rotating machinery technology for stable, high-speed operation, forms a strong foundation for this partnership. We both recognise the tremendous potential of superconducting technologies in shaping the future of aircraft and driving the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. We are confident that our collaboration with Airbus will play a key role in advancing next-generation technologies for the aerospace sector.”
The agreement was signed in Tokyo, on the occasion of
Japan Aerospace 2024, by Dr Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus senior vice president. They were joined by Ludovic Ybanez, Airbus head of Cryoprop demonstrator and cryogenics technology, Airbus UpNext and Kensuke Suzuki, head of new technology, Power System Division, Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation.
Over the past 10 years, Airbus has made efforts to derisk superconducting technologies. Recently, Airbus UpNext launched Cryoprop, a demonstrator to test a 2MW-class superconducting electric propulsion system. Toshiba has been conducting R&D of superconducting technology applications for nearly 50 years and has released its own 2MW-class superconductivity motor prototype for mobility applications in June 2022.
The Airbus Tech Hub Japan was announced in May 2024. This initiative is designed to develop partnerships in the country to advance research, technology and innovation in aerospace and push boundaries to prepare for the next generation of aircraft. The partnership between Toshiba and Airbus is the first achievement of this ambition in Japan.