Two French companies, H3 Dynamics and Xsun, are joining forces to develop a next-generation drone powered by a combination of solar, electric, and hydrogen energy. In aviation, as in other sectors, the future lies in hybrid energy systems.

When the sun is shining, ultra-thin solar panels integrated into the drone’s wings supply electric power. In addition, an onboard battery and hydrogen fuel cell work together to maximise performance and extend flight time. This intelligent energy mix is at the heart of Xsun’s drone concept.

Back in 2020, Xsun had already made headlines with a 29 kg solar-electric drone capable of flying up to 600 km. Now, with hydrogen added to the equation, performance is set to improve even further.

“Hydrogen is a complementary energy source to solar and electric power,” said Benjamin David, CEO of Xsun. “It allows us to extend flight endurance while saving both weight and space. We’re combining the best of all three worlds — and H3 Dynamics is the ideal partner for this.”

H3 Dynamics brings over 15 years of expertise in hydrogen aviation technologies, ranging from drones to larger aircraft. The new drone will be deployed in Europe, the United States, and the Gulf region. As part of the collaboration, the project will also benefit from H2 Field — a mobile refuelling solution developed by H3 Dynamics, currently being tested by the US military.

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