US-Israel team up to build hydrogen drones with HIMARS-like 180-mile strike range

In a significant development in the military drone sector, California-based Mach Industries has announced its collaboration with Israeli drone manufacturer Heven Drones to make hydrogen drones for the US military.

Together, they aim to produce hydrogen fuel cell-powered drones designed for military applications.

This partnership seeks to counteract China’s growing dominance in the drone market by introducing advanced technologies that they believe will enhance operational capabilities.

Hydrogen drones with HIMARS-like range

The centerpiece of their proposal is the new H2D250 drone, which leverages hydrogen fuel cells to achieve remarkable operational range and payload capacity.

According to reports, this drone can strike targets located up to 180 miles away while carrying a warhead weighing up to 22 pounds.

Benzion Levinson, CEO of Heaven Drones, stated in a recent interview with Defense One that the companies had set an ambitious production goal of around 1,000 H2D250 drones each month, with hopes to escalate to daily production levels of 1,000 units in the future.

The venture capitalizes on decades of research into hydrogen fuel cells in the United States.

In the 1990s, NASA conducted a series of experimental projects exploring the viability of unmanned aircraft operated by solar and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

Designed by AeroVironment, Inc., these experimental drones were originally intended as precursors for high-altitude platforms that could be used for atmospheric research and communications.

In tandem with NASA’s efforts, the Office of Naval Research has also investigated hydrogen power options in collaboration with military and private sector partners, aiming to develop practical fuel alternatives for battlefield conditions.

According to the Office of Naval Research, hydrogen fuel cells present advantages for operations that require stealth.

The electrochemical processes employed in fuel cells generate less noise and operate at lower temperatures than traditional combustion engines, resulting in a decreased thermal signature.

Countering China

Furthermore, a significant benefit of hydrogen fuel cells is their environmental impact.

Water is the only byproduct of the electrochemical reaction used to generate energy, which aligns with the Pentagon’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Levinson emphasized that research progress has demonstrated that just one pound of hydrogen fuel can provide a drone with about 10 hours of flight time.

The latest hydrogen fuel cell technology advancements enable operators to implement sophisticated autonomy features in these drones.

This could reduce reliance on human operators who would otherwise need to relay instructions through channels vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Additionally, Heven Drones has worked on developing hydrogen refueling stations that can be deployed at remote locations, diminishing reliance on potentially vulnerable supply chains for fuel resupplies.

Despite the promising technology, both companies face a significant hurdle.

China remains the primary supplier of critical components for battery production, including materials essential for developing these drones.

This partnership aims to innovate in drone technology and establish a domestic supply chain for drone components and systems.

As Mach Industries and Heven Drones move forward with their innovative plans, the collaboration underscores a shift towards more sustainable and advanced military technologies when global competition in the drone market intensifies.

As they develop, there is keen interest in how these advancements could reshape aerial capabilities and strategic dynamics in military operations.