Airbus-Toshiba Team-Up for Superconductivity Research

Airbus and Toshiba Join Forces for Superconductor Research

The energy division of the Toshiba Group, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba), and Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus, will collaborate and pool their experiences in superconducting technologies for the next hydrogen-powered aircraft.

In the aviation industry's decarbonisation effort, heated aeroplanes are one of the promising ways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Superconducting technologies have a distinct benefit for these aircraft, as they can effectively cool the electric propulsion systems while simultaneously employing liquid hydrogen at a temperature of -253°C as fuel. The aircraft's electric systems could transmit electricity almost uninterrupted thanks to cryogenic technology, greatly enhancing the aircraft's performance and energy efficiency.

“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, particularly for Airbus' future hydrogen-powered aircraft. This partnership represents a natural and essential step in advancing superconducting motor technology to meet the aerospace industry's needs, ” 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 the Power Systems business and Director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation. The partners aim to co-develop a two-megawatt superconducting motor. 

The agreement was signed in Tokyo on the occasion of Japan Aerospace 2024 by Dr Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus Senior Vice President and Head of Disruptive R&T, and Tsutomu Takeuchi, Toshiba’s Corporate Officer responsible for Power Systems business, and Director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation. 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 & Solutions Corporation, joined them.

Over the last ten years, Airbus has worked to reduce the risk associated with superconducting technologies. Cryoprop, a prototype to test a superconducting electric propulsion system with a capacity of two megawatts, was recently unveiled by Airbus UpNext. For almost 50 years, Toshiba has been studying and creating uses for superconducting technology. In June 2022, the company unveiled a prototype for a two-megawatt superconductivity engine for mobility applications.

The Airbus Tech Hub Japan was revealed in May 2024. This program aims to forge national alliances to push limits and promote aerospace research, technology, and innovation to prepare for the next generation of aircraft. The partnership between Toshiba and Airbus is Japan's first realisation of this goal.