Electrive writes that the two companies will collaborate through two subsidiaries, namely Airbus UpNext and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation. Through the development, the two companies want to ensure that hydrogen is able to travel to the engines without issues even as the temperature drops. This can be achieved with the use of liquid hydrogen, stored at a temperature of -253 degrees Celsius, which can work both as fuel, as well as a cooling solution for the electric drive.

"Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that could unlock new design possibilities, in particular for Airbus’ future hydrogen-powered aircraft", said Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus Senior Vice President and Head of Disruptive R&T.

Airbus officials said that the company was looking to achieve the first tests for superconductive electric motors for a decade at this point, as it already developed a test unit. In turn, Toshiba worked on developing superconductive technologies for around 50 years, which is why the two companies will now collaborate to develop a 2 MW propulsion system for future aircraft.