Innovation

ANALYSIS | Why the next global arms race may be for hydrogen-powered military drones

US, China and even Islamist rebels are all working on the development of unmanned fuel-cell aerial vehicles, which are near silent and can fly across vast distances without needing to refuel, writes Leigh Collins

Aviation Industry Corporation of China's new H2-powered drone able to fly for 30 hours and is launched from an unmanned ground vehicle.
Aviation Industry Corporation of China's new H2-powered drone able to fly for 30 hours and is launched from an unmanned ground vehicle.Photo: AVIC
Editor, Hydrogen Insight
Published 10 April 2025, 12:33Updated 10 April 2025, 12:33
MilitaryDronesChinaUSFuel cells