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Hybrid Electric Propulsion Systems

Airbus Group and Siemens Sign Long-Term Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Hybrid Electric
Propulsion Systems

  • Both companies take significant joint development decision
  • Assemble joint development team of some 200 employees
  • Target: breakthrough innovation in aerospace e-mobility

Munich, April 7, 2016 – Airbus Group (stock exchange symbol: AIR) and Siemens
(stock exchange symbol: SIE) have signed a collaboration agreement in the field of
hybrid electric propulsion. In doing so, the Chief Executive Officers (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. The progress we have achieved in
this arena, together with our industrial and governmental partners, in only a few
years is breath-taking, culminating in last year’s channel crossing of our all-electric
E-Fan aircraft. Big thanks today particularly to the Bavarian Government and
Minister Aigner for their support here in Ottobrunn”, said Tom Enders, CEO of
Airbus Group. “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.”
“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. “The undertaking will be an important
project under the umbrella of our so-called Innovation AG. As previously announced,
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. These
partners may include entrepreneurs from Siemens’ own employee environment,
external start-ups and established companies.”

Siemens-Chef Joe Kaeser (links) und Airbus-CEO Tom Enders haben am 7.April in Ottobrunn bei München eine entsprechende Kooperationsvereinbarung unterzeichnet. Das Ziel: bis zum Jahr 2020 die technische Machbarkeit verschiedener hybrid-elektrischer Antriebssysteme nachzuweisen. Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser (left) and Airbus CEO Tom Enders have signed a cooperation agreement near Munich/Germany on April 7. The agreement lays out the goal of demonstrating the technical feasibility of different kinds of hybrid-electric propulsion systems by the year 2020.

Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser (left) and Airbus CEO Tom Enders have signed a cooperation agreement near Munich/Germany on April 7. The agreement lays out the goal of demonstrating the technical feasibility of different kinds of hybrid-electric propulsion systems by the year 2020.

Hybrid-electric propulsion systems can significantly reduce fuel consumption of
aircraft and reduce noise. European emissions targets aim for a 75 percent
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 Group 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.
Airbus Group intends to accelerate with the extended capabilities of the planned
E-Aircraft System House at Ottobrunn/Taufkirchen site the development of
components and system technologies.
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.
Source: Airbus Group http://www.airbusgroup.com