Electrical, Mechanical, and Aerodynamics Study to Implement a Hydrogen-Powered Fixed-Wing RPAS

Abstract

Transport sector must be adapted to new energy model and integrate solutions that allow sustainable mobility, breaking dependency on oil and decreasing greenhouse emissions. In this sense, hydrogen technology is being considered a viable and reasonable alternative fuel. Then, in aerial transport applications, key challenges like weight and autonomy restrict possible solutions. This article proposes the design and sizing from an electrical, mechanical, and aerodynamics point of view of a hydrogen-powered remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). A detailed description of requirements at time that a justification of components selection is presented. Results show that it is possible to integrate hydrogen technology on aerial platforms, providing a series of advantages, such as an autonomy enhancement, emissions reduction, and low acoustic footprint.