Hydrogen-powered drone Z1 flies silently and evades radar
The Z1 drone can operate at high altitudes. Together with its compact dimensions, it is difficult to detect on radar.
The ZFL Z1 is relatively compact and can remain in the air for over 10 hours.
(Image: Zepher Flight Labs)
US hydrogen-powered drone specialist Zepher Flight Labs (ZFL) has developed a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) drone that draws its energy from a hydrogen fuel cell and can operate at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet (approximately 6.1 km). During testing, the Z1 reached an altitude of 12,000 feet. At such altitudes, the drone's low signature makes it more difficult for enemy radar to detect.
ZFL is keeping the exact technical details under wraps. The fixed-wing aircraft has a wingspan of approximately 4.3 meters. The Z1 is powered by a total of five electric motors and fuel cells. Four motors are used for vertical takeoff and landing, enabling the drone to take off and land without a runway.
To cover distances more quickly, it transitions to fast horizontal flight with its fixed wings. A single electric motor provides the necessary propulsion. The drone can then reach speeds of up to 64 mph (approximately 103 km/h). The Z1 drone can carry cargo weighing up to 9.9 kg. It is designed for 4.5 kg as standard. That is still enough payload to carry military reconnaissance equipment, for example. A 360-degree front camera is already on board.
Avoiding radar
What makes the Z1 special is its ability to operate at high altitudes. During a flight demonstration in mid-July, ZFL and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory achieved an altitude of 3.7 km under demanding test conditions without any negative impact on flight dynamics. The drone remained safely controllable and maneuverable at all times during the tests. The Z1 should be able to climb to a maximum altitude of around 6.1 km. At these altitudes, the drone is difficult to detect by radar due to its compact dimensions and low signature. In addition, the electric fuel cell drive is relatively quiet and generates less heat, making acoustic and thermal detection more difficult.
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Another advantage is the drone's endurance. It should be able to stay in the air for more than 10 hours, making it suitable for military reconnaissance missions. The drone could thus fly into enemy territory, collect reconnaissance data for a longer period of time, and return to its base.
Mobile units can easily carry the drone with them. Individual parts of the Z1 are stored in a compact box. According to ZFL, the drone can be assembled in less than five minutes without tools.
However, ZFL does not want to limit the use of the Z1 to military applications, even if orders from the Pentagon are likely to be the most lucrative. The drone could also be used for smaller civilian air transport operations involving the transport of light cargo over longer distances.
(olb)
