Skyeton Deploys Hydrogen-Powered Raybird Drone for Ukrainian Defense Forces
Skyeton's Raybird hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle, featuring a hydrogen-powered electric engine, has commenced combat duty with Ukraine's defense forces. This drone is designed for long-duration reconnaissance missions, with a flight endurance of approximately 12 hours as of January 2026.
It operates efficiently in temperatures ranging from -35 to +55℃, utilizing hydrogen-electric propulsion to reduce thermal and acoustic signatures. The drone's development addressed technical challenges such as power-plant operation in varying climates and logistical concerns related to hydrogen.
The new version is based on the existing Raybird (ACS-3), which had an airborne duration of over 28 hours. Skyeton intends to provide the hybrid Raybird as a self-contained solution, allowing units to utilize replaceable pre-filled tanks or mobile hydrogen production systems.
