ARIE EGOZI / TEL AVIV
Energy source could power aircraft for up to seven days
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is studying the feasibility of developing a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle that will be powered by fuel cells.
The technology is expected to allow such a design to achieve a seven-day endurance at altitudes up to 50,000ft (15,240m). An endurance of 10 days is foreseen eventually.
Shlomo Tsach, director of flight sciences in IAI's engineering division, says the study concentrates on designs varying in wingspan from 25m to 40m, capable of carrying payloads up to 200kg (440lb).
Two designs have been revealed, the flying wing HA-310, with eight engines, and the HA-315, with six engines and a twin-boom tail.
Fuel cells were chosen because they are the only source of energy that can drive the aircraft's electric motors for the extended time period required. "We think that fuel cells will become smaller and lighter, which will allow their use as an energy source for this kind of UAV," says Tsach.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity. It operates without combustion and produces no pollution, converting fuel directly into electricity in a process that is far more efficient than that used in internal combustion engines.
Tsach says the first flight of a demonstrator is scheduled for next year. The Israeli ministry of defence is participating in funding the feasibility study.
Source: Flight International
