The NederDrone: A hybrid lift, hybrid energy hydrogen UAV

TL;DR

The NederDrone is a hybrid UAV combining hydrogen fuel cells and batteries for extended endurance, capable of VTOL and efficient forward flight, demonstrated with a 3.5-hour sea flight from a moving ship.

Contribution

This paper introduces the NederDrone, a novel hybrid lift, hybrid energy hydrogen UAV with integrated safety, electronics, and flight control, enabling long endurance and VTOL capabilities.

Findings

Achieved a 3h38 flight at sea from a moving ship.

Successfully demonstrated vertical take-off and landing.

Validated the UAV's efficiency and safety features.

Abstract

A lot of UAV applications require vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) combined with very long-range or endurance. Transitioning UAVs have been proposed to combine the VTOL capabilities of helicopters with the efficient long-range flight properties of fixed-wing aircraft. But energy is still a bottleneck for many electric long endurance applications. While solar power technology and battery technology have improved a lot, in rougher conditions they still respectively lack the power or total amount of energy required for many real-world situations. In this paper, we introduce the NederDrone, a hybrid lift, hybrid energy hydrogen-powered UAV which can perform vertical take-off and landings using 12 propellers while flying efficiently in forward flight thanks to its fixed wings. The energy is supplied from a mix of hydrogen-driven fuel-cells to store large amounts of energy and battery power for high power situations. The hydrogen is stored in a pressurized cylinder around which the UAV is optimized. This paper analyses the selection of the concept, the implemented safety elements, the electronics and flight control and shows flight data including a 3h38 flight at sea, starting and landing on a small moving ship.