China's hydrogen drone sets new world record with 117-mile flight

China’s Tianmushan-1 hydrogen fuel cell drone set a new world record for the longest multirotor flight, covering 117.17 miles (188.605 km) during a four-hour mission on November 16, 2025. This achievement was officially verified and certified by Guinness World Records, marking a significant milestone in clean aviation. Developed by Beihang University’s Tianmushan Laboratory, the drone demonstrated stable propulsion and consistent handling throughout the flight, fulfilling all standards for distance, endurance, and system integrity. The Tianmushan-1, introduced in August 2024 and entering production in April 2025, features a 63-inch wheelbase, weighs 41.9 pounds empty, and can carry up to 13.2 pounds of payload. It boasts an endurance of up to 240 minutes without payload and operates reliably across a wide temperature range (−40°C to 50°C). Its capability to conduct 62-mile (100 km) beyond-visual