Dronamics, CAeS renew agreement for hydrogen fuel cell propulsion
The two companies have been working together since November 2022, under an earlier MOU, on a feasibility study for the application of CAeS’s HFC technology into Black Swan cargo drone.
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) and Dronamics have signed an MoU to extend the application of the CAeS hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) propulsion system to the Dronamics Black Swan cargo drone aircraft.
“This agreement confirms the position of CAeS as the preferred supplier of HFC propulsion systems to Dronamics, and includes a letter of intent to supply a substantial number of propulsion systems from 2026, bringing CAeS’s total pipeline to over 1,300 drivetrains,” says the official release.
The two companies have been working together since November 2022, under an earlier MoU, on a feasibility study for the application of CAeS’s HFC technology for the Black Swan, which is capable of carrying 350 kgs for up to 2,500 kms.
“We are very excited to be working with CAeS on the adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell technology for our aircraft, having successfully completed the feasibility study. The prospect of running flights with their emissions-free propulsion system helps further solidify our position as a frontrunner in the cargo drone market,” says Svilen Rangelov, CEO, Dronamics.
The successful feasibility study has concluded that the CAeS HFC system is well suited to meet the required payload, cargo volume and range for the Black Swan aircraft. As a result, CAeS will develop an STC equivalent modification pack for the Black Swan to convert existing conventionally powered versions of the aircraft to a zero emissions HFC variant in accordance with CS23 aircraft design standards, the release added.
“The selection as preferred supplier of hydrogen fuel-cell powerplants for the Dronamics Black Swan fleet is testament to the exceptional technology that our team has developed and also to our aircraft integration design capabilities. We have now demonstrated that we can adapt and integrate our modular hydrogen propulsion technology into different platforms, opening up much wider market opportunities to exploit further the CAeS gaseous HFC aircraft propulsion systems from 2026,” says Paul Hutton, CEO, CAeS.
