MetaVista, a South Korean-based liquid hydrogen specialist, recently completed a nearly 11-hour multi-copter test flight using an Intelligent Energy UAV Fuel Cell Power Module.

The company’s lightweight 650W Fuel Cell Power Module (FCPM) powered the 10-hour-and-50-minute flight, which is “believed to be the longest flight time of its kind,” according to a news release.

MetaVista used 390 grams of liquid hydrogen in a specially designed 6L cylinder for the flight. The ultra-lightweight liquid hydrogen storage tank was designed to work with Intelligent Energy’s FCPM. When coupled with the Intelligent Energy 650W FCPM system, it can provide an energy density of 1865Wh/kg.

“We have been focused for some time on developing lightweight, robust fuel cell power modules for UAVs that can offer commercial users something that batteries simply cannot—significantly longer flight time,” Intelligent Energy CEO David Woolhouse said. “We are pleased to have worked with MetaVista on this test flight, which has demonstrated that liquid hydrogen can increase that flight time further still when compared to compressed hydrogen—three times longer! This is a real game changer for commercial users who need longer in the air.”

Click here to read more about the benefits of hydrogen fuel cells for drone flight times.

To watch a video, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U_dHZZ3vxQ