Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

At the end of May the hydrogen-powered Rapace unmanned air vehicle (UAV) took to the air for the first time. It was the first flight of a drone with closed cathode and liquid-cooled fuel cell outside of the U.S.
The Rapace H2 project is a collaboration between the instructors/researchers of the air school research center (CREA), part of the military l’Ecole de l’Air et de l’Espace (EAE, air and space school) at Salon-de-Provence and CEA-LITEN, the innovation laboratory for energy technologies/new and nanomaterials of the French atomic energy agency.
CEA-LITEN has been studying aspects of hydrogen fuel for two decades, including hydrogen production, storage and transport. It developed the fuel cell technology for the Rapace program. The CREA is studying the application of hydrogen power to military activities.
Drone specialist Atechsys, was selected to provide the UAV and its ground control station. The company is based at Pourrières in the Var department, where the first flight was undertaken. Support for the flight test was provided by operators from CIFED (initiation and training center for drones), also part of EAE.

Hanneke Weitering

The Rapace H2 combines an Atechsys UAV with a hydrogen power source. (Photo: EAE)

France Flies Hydrogen-powered UAV

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN