Swinburne’s AIR Hub achieves hydrogen flight

Swinburne University of Technology’s Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) has successfully completed the first flight of an Australian-developed hydrogen fuel cell electric powered VTOL drone. The flight test was achieved using AIR Hub’s innovative Small Hydrogen Aircraft Development & Evolution (SHADE) drone.

This flight marks a significant milestone in Australia’s advanced air mobility (AAM) journey as the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), hydrogen-powered uncrewed aerial system (UAS)  flight. The successful flight is the result of collaboration with industry partners, researchers and businesses across the aviation and hydrogen industries, including Swinburne’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2).

The SHADE drone was developed through AIR Hub’s Hydrogen to the Skies (H22S) project, funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government’s Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships program. The aim of this project is to design and integrate a new hydrogen propulsion system into a large-scale drone to help spearhead the commercial development of clean, zero emissions uncrewed air systems.

The flight occurring last week in Victoria’s Latrobe City Council was the first of its type in Australia. It demonstrates a leap forward in clean aviation, enabling extended range compared to traditionally battery powered UAS, while reducing the environmental impact through sustainably produced hydrogen. This achievement demonstrates Swinburne’s commitment to developing sustainable aviation technologies.

“The successful hydrogen-powered flight of the SHADE drone represents a significant milestone in not only the H22S project, but also the development of net zero aerospace in Australia,” says Dr Adriano Di Pietro, Director of the AIR Hub.

Australia’s net zero AAM future

The success of a hydrogen-propelled flight of the SHADE drone is a significant milestone in the first phase of the multi-phase H22S project.

This will position Australian aerospace and aviation companies to scale up hydrogen use in aviation, with a view to utilise hydrogen propulsion progressively from UAS all the way to passenger and freight air vehicles.

Research being completed by the AIR Hub also speaks to the potential to convert existing internal combustion powered aircraft into emission-free flight. 

Hydrogen propulsion will allow longer range regional and remote-area flights than is achievable by battery-powered air vehicles, which are being developed for short-range urban operations. Projects like the H22S project will have significant positive impact on Australia’s supply chain ecosystem, with uncrewed, hydrogen-powered aircraft having the potential to deliver products, including life-saving medications, to some of Australia’s most remote environments.

“Swinburne’s AIR Hub is dedicated to cementing Australia as a key player in the global effort towards the decarbonisation of the aviation and aerospace industry, and we believe that utilising hydrogen power is key to this journey," says Dr Di Pietro.