Protonex Technology Corp., a subsidiary of Ballard Power Systems, has has inked an agreement to provide FlyH2 Aerospace a fuel cell propulsion system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
FlyH2, a South African-based company plans to integrate the Protonex fuel cell system into all three of its aircraft currently under development. It will start with the UA Plant prototype and then move on to the UA Alpha. The third drone to get the fuel cell system will the UA Gecko.
"When combined with improved reliability and other advantages over internal combustion systems, fuel cells are proving to be a high value fit for UAVs. These will be the first civilian drones that we have powered, in addition to our work on military UAVs with several global aerospace customers,” said Paul Osenar, president at Protonex.
A fuel cell propulsion system allows for endurances comparable to an internal combustion engine, but with several added benefits. These include silent operation, increased reliability, lower vibration and less maintenance. The total cost of ownership is also expected to be lower and the aircraft will only require one fuel stop per day for all-day operations.
In agriculture, the use of UAVs rather than conventional piloted aircraft, which sometimes operate as low as 150 feet above the ground, reduces the risk to pilots and also avoids noise abatement issues. In addition, the enhanced reliability of fuel cell engines further protects people and property on the ground.
FlyH2’s UA Plant prototype drone is a 30 kg aircraft that will be used for agricultural purposes.
UA Alpha will be a long-range, long-endurance survey and reconnaissance aircraft designed to carry advanced sensors. Specifications include a wingspan of 8.2 meters (27 feet), maximum cruising altitude of 4,250 meters (14,000 feet) and flight distance of more than 600 kilometers (370 miles). Onboard sensors will survey environmental variables used in the management of fires, pollution, erosion, alien vegetation and plant diseases.
FlyH2's third drone, the UA Gecko, is being designed to monitor physical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, pipelines and powerlines.