Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing subsidiary, recently completed a significant milestone by conducting a seven-hour flight test of the SKIRON-XLE, a fuel-cell-powered small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS), in Virginia. The SKIRON-XLE, part of Aurora's SKIRON sUAS product line, is specifically designed for long-range reconnaissance missions and boasts impressive features such as hydrogen tanks, a fuel cell, and a Lithium Polymer auxiliary battery. This test flight represents a breakthrough in flight endurance for the Group 2 platform. The SKIRON-XLE is a hybrid eVTOL platform that combines the efficiency of electric vertical takeoff and landing with fixed-wing forward flight capabilities, making it compliant with U.S. FAA Part 107 regulations and ready for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The successful test flight showcased the system's ability to operate for extended periods, landing at 7.0 hours with the hydrogen fuel tanks depleted but with a sufficient safety margin on the battery. Jason Grzywna, senior director of products at Aurora Flight Sciences, highlighted that the SKIRON-XLE's capabilities can meet the industry's demand for longer flight times, with plans for deliveries to commence in early 2025. The SKIRON-XLE, announced by Aurora in June 2024, offers up to three payload mounting locations and features advanced technology in its ground control station. Overall, the test flight of the SKIRON-XLE marks a positive development in the field of aviation, showcasing the potential for fuel-cell-powered sUAS to revolutionize long-range reconnaissance missions.