World-first hydrogen drone with 'negligible' heat signature deployed

Ukraine has deployed a world-first hybrid hydrogen-powered drone, a modified version of Skyeton’s Raybird, in an active combat zone for reconnaissance missions. Unlike the standard Raybird, which uses an internal combustion engine (ICE) and can fly for over 28 hours, the hydrogen-electric variant offers a flight endurance of 12 hours (with plans to increase to 20 hours) and features a significantly lower heat signature. This reduced thermal footprint, due to the electric motor generating less heat than an ICE, makes the drone especially suited for stealthy surveillance in hostile environments. The redesigned Raybird incorporates hydrogen cartridges to power electric motors, providing quieter operation, higher operational altitude, and environmental benefits. The drone weighs 51 pounds, has a 15-foot wingspan, and can carry a payload of about 22 pounds, including radar and surveillance sensors. Skyeton spent two years in research and development to address challenges such as climate resilience and hydrogen logistics, resulting in a reliable platform that balances long-duration flight