Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) signed agreements with Iris Automation and Drone America to pursue Doosan's hydrogen fuel cell technology to enhance scalable systems for long range, autonomous beyond line of sight (BVLOS) UAS operations.

The companies will work together to integrate technologies and share operational resources to test and evaluate aircraft platforms and infrastructure to support commercial BVLOS operations.

Due to its higher energy density over traditional lithium batteries, and zero-emissions profile, Doosan's Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to sustainably expand BVLOS drone operations for both commercial and public flight operations. Traditional lithium batteries and fossil fuel-powered propulsion systems are predominantly used in small UAS aircraft today. Battery-powered systems, such as those currently in use, do not produce carbon emissions but are limited in range and capacity. Fossil fuel propulsion systems have longer range, but at the expense of carbon emissions and high environmental noise.

According to DMI's research and testing, its UAS hydrogen fuel cells can outperform traditional batteries with an energy density up to four times the current standard. Hydrogen can be produced using 100% renewable energy and when the fuel cell generates electricity it emits only water vapor.

"The potential of hydrogen fuel cell drone technology that delivers the endurance and performance necessary to enable autonomous UAV flight, without carbon emissions, is huge. This partnership is an excellent way to jumpstart the progress we can make by collaborating with two pioneers at the forefront of real-world UAV innovation to actually start BVLOS services," said Soonsuk (Fran) Roh, manager of Americas and Oceania business development at Doosan Mobility Innovation.