A hydrogen-powered drone developed in China has completed a 30-hour continuous flight, setting a new global endurance record for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in its class and demonstrating the advancing capabilities of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The drone, jointly developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Tsinghua University, conducted the test flight in Dujiangyan, located in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
The aircraft, weighing 50 kilograms, utilizes hydrogen fuel cells with an energy density of 600 watts per kilogram.
Researchers achieved a system efficiency of 55% by implementing a lightweight fuel cell stack and a low platinum-loaded catalyst.
The team also reported progress in overcoming technical challenges related to flight stability in high-altitude, low-pressure, and extremely cold environments.
Hydrogen-powered drones with extended flight durations are seen as promising solutions for a range of applications, including disaster response, emergency communications, environmental monitoring, and border surveillance.
The latest achievement adds momentum to China’s broader efforts to integrate hydrogen technology into next-generation aviation platforms.
Source: Global Times