Airbus UpNext, Toshiba “to Collaborate on Superconductivity Research for Hydrogen Powered Aircraft”
Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of Airbus, and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, the company group’s energy arm, are to collaborate on superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft, reports a press release.
Hydrogen-powered aircraft is one promising solution to achieve net zero emission by 2050. The release explains, “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.”
It continues, “Cryogenic technology could allow for a nearly unimpaired power transmission within the electric systems of the aircraft, significantly improving their energy efficiency and performance.” The partners aim to co-develop a two-megawatt superconducting motor.
The agreement was signed in Tokyo, during the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition 2024, by Dr Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus Senior VP and Head of Disruptive R&T and Tsutomu Takeuchi, Director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corps.
Please Watch Video
Ombach commented, “Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that could unlock new design possibilities, in particular for Airbus’ future hydrogen-powered aircraft.”
Takeuchi added, “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.”
During the past 10 years, Airbus has made efforts to de-risk such technologies. Recently, Airbus UpNext launched Cryoprop, a demonstrator to test a two megawatt-class superconducting electric propulsion system.
Meanwhile, Toshiba has been carrying out R&D on these applications for nearly half a century and has released its own two megawatt-class superconductivity motor prototype for mobility applications in June 2022.

The agreement signing: (l to r) Ludovic Ybanez, Airbus Head of Cryoprop demonstrator and Cryogenics technology, Dr Grzegorz Ombach, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Kensuke Suzuki, Head of New Technology, Power System Division, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corps.
For more information
https://www.airbus.com/en/innovation/innovation-ecosystem/airbus-upnext
https://www.global.toshiba/ww/company/energy.html
(Images Airbus Upnext/Toshiba Energy systems)
For the latest news, insights and content regarding the global Advanced Air Mobility market, please join the following eVTOL Insights channels: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, X and LinkedIn.