First Hydrogen-Powered Cargo Drone Flight Achieved in China
On April 4, 2025, a 7.5-ton cargo drone powered by the AEP100 hydrogen engine successfully completed its inaugural flight in Zhuzhou, China. This marks a significant advancement in hydrogen propulsion technology, integrating megawatt-class engines with cryogenic fuel management in an operational aircraft for the first time.
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A cargo drone weighing 7.5 tons conducted a 16-minute flight covering 36 kilometers at 220 km/h on April 4, 2025, in China, powered by the AEP100 hydrogen engine. This development is part of China's broader strategy to establish a comprehensive hydrogen industry supply chain, with potential market values projected at 3 trillion yuan (approximately 378 billion euros).
In contrast, Europe is facing complexities in hydrogen aviation, with Airbus confirming the technical feasibility of its ZEROe project but encountering delays and redefinitions. Hydrogen is not a replacement for batteries in aviation; instead, they serve complementary roles across various segments. The potential for hydrogen propulsion in medium-range cargo drones and regional aviation remains significant.
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