Airbus and Toshiba Collaborate on Superconducting Technologies

Airbus UpNext, a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus, has announced a partnership with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba) to collaborate on superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft.

As the aviation industry seeks to decarbonize, hydrogen-powered aircraft present a promising solution for achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Superconducting technologies offer a distinct advantage by utilizing -253°C liquid hydrogen not only as fuel but also for efficiently cooling electric propulsion systems. This cryogenic technology could enable nearly lossless power transmission within the aircraft’s electric systems, significantly enhancing energy efficiency and performance.

“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,” said Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus Senior Vice President and Head of Disruptive R&T.

“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 recognize the tremendous potential of superconducting technologies in shaping the future of aircraft and driving the decarbonization 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,” said Tsutomu Takeuchi, Toshiba’s Corporate Officer responsible for Power Systems and Director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation.

The two companies aim to co-develop a two-megawatt superconducting motor as part of their collaboration. The agreement was signed in Tokyo during Japan Aerospace 2024 by Dr. Grzegorz Ombach and Tsutomu Takeuchi, alongside Ludovic Ybanez, Airbus Head of Cryoprop Demonstrator and Cryogenics Technology, and Kensuke Suzuki, Head of New Technology in Toshiba’s Power System Division.

Over the past decade, Airbus has focused on derisking superconducting technologies. Recently, Airbus UpNext launched Cryoprop, a demonstrator designed to test a two-megawatt-class superconducting electric propulsion system. Toshiba has been researching superconducting technology applications for nearly 50 years and unveiled its own two-megawatt-class superconducting motor prototype for mobility applications in June 2022.

In May 2024, Airbus announced the establishment of the Airbus Tech Hub Japan, aimed at fostering partnerships in the country to advance aerospace research, technology, and innovation. The partnership with Toshiba marks a significant milestone in this initiative.

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