Integrating Hydrogen-Electric Propulsion Into Autonomous Cessna Caravan

ZeroAvia announced it has been selected for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by AFWERX to conduct a feasibility study for integrating hydrogen propulsion into Cessna Caravan in conjunction with autonomous technology. The AFWERX grants are awarded to promote research into questions that address challenges facing the Department of the Air Force.

The ZeroAvia grant will enable the company to analyze the potential for development of an 8,000 pound autonomous aircraft with hydrogen propulsion that will have reduced engine noise and a low thermal signature to significantly reduce its detectability.

Hydrogen fuel cells are currently under research by a number of academic and commercial interests and appear to be a promising technology for improving the range, duration, and turnaround time of electric UAVs.

As an aviation fuel, hydrogen has advantages in that it can be produced without the need for extensive infrastructure or transportation: It can be produced on-site where there is a ready supply of water and electricity. This significantly reduces the logistics of fueling which is a critical consideration in any military or defense application.

In addition, hydrogen has the highest energy per unit of weight of any chemical energy source. This enables a potential maximum range of more than 2,000 nm (4,000 km) in an autonomous aircraft of this type.

ZeroAvia is furthering the certification of a 600 kW hydrogen-electric powertrain, the ZA600, which uses fuel cells to convert hydrogen fuel into electricity to power the electric motors. The company’s first airframe for integrating the powertrain is the Textron-manufactured Cessna Caravan.

Reliable Robotics is a California company specializing in remote operation of aircraft and will be supporting the project by exploring potential relevant autonomous flight systems.

FMI:  zeroavia.com/