Intelligent Energy has announced that a South Korean liquid hydrogen specialist called MetaVista conducted a 10 hour and 50-minute multi-copter test flight using an Intelligent Energy Fuel Cell Power Module.

​The flight, which utilized Intelligent Engineering’s lightweight 650-watt Fuel Cell Power Module (FCPM), is believed to be the longest flight time of its kind.

Additionally, MetaVista used 390 grams of liquid hydrogen in a specially designed six-liter cylinder.

MetaVista has developed the light weight liquid hydrogen storage tank specifically to work with Intelligent Energy’s FCPM. According to the companies, the MetaVista liquid hydrogen system combined with the Intelligent Energy 650W FCPM system provides a significant 1865Wh/kg energy density.

“Our aim was to significantly increase the flight time for commercial UAV operators. Using Intelligent Energy’s lightweight Fuel Cell Power Module we have been able to achieve this,” says Dr. Jong Baik, MetaVista Inc. CEO.

“The Intelligent Energy team has worked closely with us and we are delighted to be working with them. Together with our liquid hydrogen production and storage expertise, it has proved to be a successful partnership.”  

With their ability to offer significantly longer flight times in comparison to traditional batteries, fuel cells are considered an ideal power choice for commercial and military UAS, the companies note.

Intelligent Energy adds that its products can be used on UAS weighing between five and 20 kilograms.

“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!” says David Woolhouse, CEO at Intelligent Energy.

“This is a real game changer for commercial users who need longer in the air.”