Airbus UpNext and the Toshiba Group’s energy arm, are set to cooperate and mutualise experience on superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft.
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.
“Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors,” said Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus senior vice president and head of disruptive R&T. “Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that could unlock new design possibilities, in particular for Airbus' future hydrogen-powered aircraft.”
The agreement was signed in Tokyo by Ombach and Tsutomu Takeuchi, Toshiba’s corporate officer, responsible for power systems business, and director of Toshiba energy systems and solutions corporation,
Takeuchi commented: “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.”
He added: “We are confident that our collaboration with Airbus will play a key role in advancing next-generation technologies for the aerospace sector.”