Europe-based global major aerospace group Airbus has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Airbus UpNext, has entered a partnership with Japan-based global major electronics group Toshiba’s energy business, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions, to cooperate on superconducting technologies for use in future hydrogen-powered aircraft. The two companies will also “mutualise [their] experience” in this field.

Hydrogen power for aircraft is one of the promising technologies for the decarbonisation of aviation and the achievement of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Superconducting technologies offer an unequalled advantage for aircraft using cryogenically-cooled liquid hydrogen as their fuel – at the -253 °C temperature of the liquid hydrogen, superconductors would allow almost unimpeded transmission of electric power, giving a significant improvement in the energy efficiency and performance of electric motors.

“Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors,” highlighted Airbus senior VP and disruptive research and technology head Grzegorz Ombach. “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.”

“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,” highlighted Toshiba responsible corporate officer: Power Systems business and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions director Tsutomu Takeuchi. “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.”

Airbus has been working on superconducting technologies and their derisking for the past ten years. Airbus UpNext recently unveiled a 2-MW-class superconducting electric propulsion demonstrator and test system, dubbed Cryoprop. Toshiba has been working on superconducting technologies and their applications for nearly 50 years. It unveiled its own 2-MW-class prototype superconducting motor (for mobility purposes) in June 2022.

In May this year, the European group announced the establishment of the Airbus Tech Hub Japan.