Airbus and Siemens sign long-term cooperation agreement

In doing so, the CEO of both companies, Tom Enders and Joe Kaeser, have launched a major joint project towards the electrification of aviation with the goal of demonstrating the technical feasibility of various hybrid/electric propulsion systems by 2020.

Both companies will be making significant contributions into the project and have sourced a team of around 200 employees to advance European leadership in innovation and the development of electrically powered aircraft.

“Electric and electric-hybrid flight represent some of the biggest industrial challenges of our time, aiming at zero-emissions aviation. We believe that by 2030 passenger aircraft below 100 seats could be propelled by hybrid propulsion systems and we are determined to explore this possibility together with world-class partners like Siemens,” said Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus Group.

“By entering the field of highly innovative aircraft propulsion technology, we’re opening a new chapter in E-Mobility. Collaboration with Airbus Group will create new perspectives for our company and open us up even more to disruptive innovation,” said Siemens president and CEO Joe Kaeser.

According to Kaeser, the aim of this unit is to cooperate with innovative partners in order to identify and invest in new trends and develop future-oriented business opportunities.

Hybrid-electric propulsion systems can significantly reduce fuel consumption of aircraft and reduce noise. European emissions targets aim for a 75 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to the values for the year 2000.

These ambitious goals cannot be achieved by conventional technologies.

Airbus Group and Siemens plan to jointly develop prototypes for various propulsion systems with power classes ranging from a few 100 kilowatts up to 10 and more megawatts, i.e. for short, local trips with aircraft below 100 seats, helicopters or UAVs up to classic short and medium-range journeys.

Both companies together with Austria’s Diamond Aircraft initially presented a hybrid aircraft back in 2011.

Since then, Siemens has been developing an electric engine for aircraft which supplies five times as much power while retaining the same weight.

Airbus has been gathering operational experience with electrically powered aircraft since 2014 with the E-Fan, a full electric two-seater dedicated to training pilots.

This success has been achieved together with various industrial partners and steadfast support of the French government.

Siemens is determined to establish hybrid-electric propulsion systems for aircraft as a future business.

The partners have agreed to collaborate exclusively in selected development areas. In parallel, both partners will continue to work together with their current partners for small aircraft with fewer than 20 seats.