Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of Airbus, has partnered with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba) to collaborate on superconducting technologies for hydrogen-powered aircraft. This cooperation aims to leverage both companies’ expertise to advance decarbonization in aviation.
Hydrogen-powered aircraft are considered a key solution to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Superconducting technologies, using liquid hydrogen at -253°C as both fuel and a coolant for electric propulsion systems, offer significant advantages. Cryogenic technology can enable nearly lossless power transmission, greatly improving the efficiency and performance of electric systems in future aircraft.
Partnering with Toshiba allows us to go beyond the limitations of current partial superconducting and conventional motors, said Grzegorz Ombach, Senior Vice President of Airbus and Head of Disruptive R&T. This collaboration could deliver breakthrough technology, particularly for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Tsutomu Takeuchi, Toshiba’s Corporate Officer and Director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, added, “Toshiba’s expertise in superconducting technology, motor drive control, and high-speed machinery complements Airbus’ vision. Together, we aim to shape the future of aviation and advance decarbonization.”
The partnership will focus on developing a two-megawatt superconducting motor. The agreement was signed during Japan Aerospace 2024 in Tokyo by Ombach and Takeuchi, with senior representatives from both Airbus and Toshiba.
Airbus has been working to advance superconducting technologies over the past decade, recently launching the Cryoprop demonstrator to test a two-megawatt-class superconducting propulsion system. Toshiba, with nearly 50 years of experience in this field, released its own two-megawatt-class superconducting motor prototype in 2022.
This partnership marks the first achievement under the Airbus Tech Hub Japan initiative, which was launched in May 2024 to foster innovation and research in aerospace.
