Advancements in Unmanned Aircraft and eVTOL Technology with Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Innovation
Key Ideas
  • The AFRL sponsored the development of the X-67A unmanned aircraft by General Atomics, aiming to augment front-line fighter/bomber aircraft capabilities.
  • Kratos' XQ-58A Valkyrie, designed to work in teams with manned aircraft, has demonstrated communication with F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning aircraft, showcasing manned/unmanned teaming.
  • Aurora Flight Sciences' Skiron-XLE Class 2 UAV, powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell from Intelligent Energy, has significantly extended its range and endurance, enhancing its military reconnaissance capabilities.
  • Stellantis invested $55 million in Archer's eVTOL air taxi project, aiming to scale up production capacity to 650 aircraft per year by 2024, marking a substantial advancement in the eVTOL market.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) sponsored the development of two unmanned vehicles to enhance the capabilities of current front-line fighter/bomber aircraft. One of the developments includes the X-67A unmanned aircraft by General Atomics, part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This aircraft aims to support manned aircraft and has a common frame for rapid variant development. Kratos' XQ-58A Valkyrie, another AFRL-sponsored project, has shown successful manned/unmanned teaming by coordinating with F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning aircraft, demonstrating its combat support capabilities. Aurora Flight Sciences introduced the Skiron-XLE Class 2 UAV, a compact hydrogen fuel-cell-powered aircraft that has extended its range and endurance compared to its predecessor. This advancement enhances its military reconnaissance role with improved capabilities. Furthermore, Stellantis invested $55 million in Archer's eVTOL air taxi project, aiming to increase production capacity significantly by 2024. This collaboration signifies progress in the eVTOL air taxi market, driven by the partnership between a giant car manufacturer and an innovative aerospace company.
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