Longest
micro-UAV flight-world record set by Pterosoar
[Nov1]
SINGAPORE--The Pterosoar UAV, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell flew
128km (69nm) in California and set a new distance record for micro-UAVs,
exceeding previous distance record by 50%.
The propeller-powered Pterosoar is a joint effort between
California State University of Los Angeles and Oklahoma State University
(OSU).
Horizon says the flight used only 25% of the hydrogen
stored on board, and the UAV's range with a full pressurised tank
is 500km.
The Pterosoar is expected to make a flight exceeding
15.5h within the next few weeks, the company says, setting a new
endurance record for small UAVs.
Designed by OSU's Aerospace Engineering Laboratory,
the Pterosoar weighs 5kg (10.2lb) including hydrogen and fuel cells.
Horizon says its fuel-cell energy density of
480Wh/kg, 2.6 times that of the best available batteries, allows
80% of total power system volume to be used for pressurised hydrogen
storage.
In April a Horizon fuel cell powered the Hyfish jet-wing
UAV to 200km/h (108kt). The Hyfish was designed by Swiss
company Smartfish and developed a consortium led by German
aerospace centre DLR. Video of that flight is available
here.
Ultimately Horizon plans to use "hydrogen battery"
technology under development by Millenium
Cell.
The company's
Hydrogen on Demand fuel cartridges use sodium borohydride
as the hydrogen storage medium, and will reduce the size of the
power system, says Horizon.
