Horizon's hydrogen fuel cells fly Elbit Systems' Skylark I-LE UAV
Horizon Energy Systems announced the successful test flight of its AEROPAK fuel cell power system onboard Elbit Systems Skylark I-LE UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System).
An official test flight was recently carried out in Israel. The test flight was without precedent, since it is the first ever test of a fully operational system using the Horizon AEROPAK fuel cell power system, including take-off and recovery with an operational payload integrated onboard. Equipped with the AEROPAK fuel cell system, Skylark ILE will offer its users enhanced flight duration, doubling the current endurance of the UAS. Delivering 900Wh net usable energy per liter of fuel, Horizon's new AEROPAK power system successfully passed Skylark I-LE tests with flying colors, proving it is suitable and rugged enough for military use.
The Skylark I-LE is a tactical man-portable UAS, currently used in close range beyond -the-next-hill surveillance and reconnaissance missions by several nations. The silent electric UAS is highly autonomous from take-off to recovery, providing covert operation with maximum simplicity and efficiency. Designed for robust operation in various environmental conditions, the Skylark I-LE system entered operational service in 2004 and has accumulated over 20,000 hours of successful operations, in some of the most demanding conflict zones around the globe.
Simulating real battlefield conditions and an actual payload in order to test the limits of the new fuel cell technology, Skylark's new AEROPAK-enabled propulsion engine was subjected to a number of operating scenarios. These tests included repeated take-offs and abrupt landings on various terrains to determine if the fuel cell was sufficiently ruggedized to withstand high levels of shock. The UAS was also flown in windy and turbulent weather to gauge the AEROPAK's capability to sustain continuous high power drain from the aircraft's motor.
Richard Liow, UAS systems manager at Horizon Energy Systems in Singapore, further commented "The AEROPAK has passed Elbit Systems tests and is now proven to be a ready drop-in replacement for battery packs currently in use. We are immensely proud of this achievement and believe that the AEROPAK powered Skylark I-LE will be an unparalleled combination".
Source: Horizon
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
