CAeS and Dronamics sign MoU for hydrogen fuel cell system

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Dronamics sign MoU for hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system

Oct 12, 2023 - 9:33 am

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dronamics to develop the application of CAeS’ hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) propulsion system from the Black Swan cargo drone aircraft.

The MoU is the result of a successful feasibility study by the two companies on the application of CAeS’s HFC technology into the Black Swan and confirms CAeS position as the preferred supplier of HFC propulsion systems to Dronamics.

Paul Hutton, CEO of CAeS, said, “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 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 much wider market opportunities to exploit further the CAeS gaseous HFC aircraft propulsion systems from 2026.”

CAeS will now develop a Supplemental Type Certificate 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 HFC propulsion system is a half-scale version of the 250kW system being developed under Project Fresson, validating the ability of the CAeS HFC technology to be adapted to different platform requirements.

Svilen Rangelov, CEO of Dronamics, commented, “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.”