ZeroAvia awarded US airforce grant for autonomous aircraft study

With hydrogen fuel cells being a “promising technology” to improve UAV’s, the study will aim to address pressing challenges in the DAF.

The innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force, AFWERX, has selected ZeroAvia for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant focussing on the integration of hydrogen propulsion systems.

The hydrogen-electric aircraft manufacturer is set to conduct a study while exploring the integration potential of fuel cells, aiming to “strengthen the national defense of the US”.

With a planned first airframe on the Cessna Caravan aircraft by Textron, ZeroAvia is set to be supported in exploring autonomous flight systems by Californian company Reliable Robotics.

The aircraft is set to feature automation technology a reduced engine noise and low thermal signature, with aims of reducing detectability.

Val Miftakhov, Founder & CEO of ZeroAvia, stated how its a signal of importance that the US Airforce is “exploring the potential application of hydrogen fuel cells and electric propulsion in heavy unmanned aircraft”.

The grant aims to address research questions with specific implications for the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). 

Miftakhov added: “This feasibility study will provide greater insight into how hydrogen fuel cell propulsion can reduce detectability and costs of air operations, enhance capability of autonomous air vehicles and derisk fuel supply in forward operating environments.” 

With hydrogen fuel cells being a “promising technology” to improve the range of UAV’s it is claimed to have additional advantages as an aviation fuel which is a “critical consideration for any defence applications”

Furthering its credability, ZeroAvia is advancing certification of a 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain, ZA600, which uses fuel cells to convert hydrogen fuel into electricity to power electric motors.