Airbus UpNext, a fully-owned subsidiary of Airbus, will collaborate with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, the energy division of the Toshiba Group, to share expertise in superconducting technologies aimed at developing future hydrogen-powered aircraft.
As the aviation sector strives for decarbonization, hydrogen-powered aircraft emerge as a viable solution to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The application of superconducting technologies presents a distinct advantage for these aircraft, utilizing liquid hydrogen at -253°C not only as fuel but also for the effective cooling of electric propulsion systems. The implementation of cryogenic technology could facilitate nearly lossless power transmission within the aircraft’s electric systems, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and overall performance.
The agreement was formalized in Tokyo during the Japan Aerospace 2024 event, with Dr. Grzegorz Ombach, Senior Vice President and Head of Disruptive Research and Technology at Airbus, and Tsutomu Takeuchi, Corporate Officer at Toshiba overseeing the Power Systems business and serving as Director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, as the signatories. They were accompanied by Ludovic Ybanez, Head of the Cryoprop demonstrator and Cryogenics technology at Airbus UpNext, along with Kensuke Suzuki, Head of New Technology in the Power System Division at Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation.
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