Israel Aerospace Industries has doubled the endurance of its BirdEye-650 unmanned air system to 6h through the use of a fuel cell power pack.
The advance was demonstrated during recent test flights, and the company predicts that longer missions will be possible using the new technology.
Tommy Silberring, general manger of IAI's Malat UAS division, says that the company has decided to use fuel cells on all its small air vehicle designs. The Panther tiltrotor design is also being tested with fuel cells, he adds.
Powered by three electric motors, the vertical take-off and landing Panther has a 65kg (143lb) take-off weight and a previously reported endurance of 6h. A Mini Panther derivative weighs 12kg and can be operated for 2h.
Silberring says Malat's preferred fuel cell system uses highly reactive alkali metals to produce strong reducing agents and convenient sources for hydrogen. This approach is better than an alternative of carrying compressed hydrogen on the air vehicle, he notes.
IAI has a close cooperation with Singapore-based fuel cell developer Horizon Energy Systems.
Source: Flight International
