AEROCELL Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems for Drones

H3 Dynamics develops hydrogen-electric power systems for drones and aircraft, with offices in Toulouse, France and the Austin area of Texas, USA. It addresses the limited flight time and range of battery-powered unmanned aircraft, and says it has spent about ten years developing fuel cell systems, accessories and components; its aircraft line extends to 10 to 375 kW fuel cell systems.

The AEROCELL range of air-cooled PEM fuel cells covers 300 W to 4 kW, from the 0.72 kg A300 to the 3 kg A2000, with higher power built to order. H3 Dynamics also supplies the surrounding hydrogen chain: EN12245-certified Type 4 300 bar tanks, regulators, onboard and ground liquid hydrogen storage, compressors and mobile on-site electrolysers for refuelling, and offers integration support for UAS manufacturers. With Heven AeroTech it developed HyTEC, a towable hydrogen production and storage system for remote drone operations under a US Defense Innovation Unit contract.

• AEROCELL fuel cells: air-cooled PEM modules A300, A800, A1200, A2000 and built-to-order A4000.
• Hydrogen storage: EN12245-certified Type 4 300 bar carbon-fibre tanks and 12 L onboard liquid hydrogen storage.
• Refuelling equipment: electric compressor to 350 bar, filling adaptors and ground liquid hydrogen storage.
• On-site production: mobile electrolysers with automatic pressurization of hydrogen storage.
• HyTEC system: towable hydrogen production targeting 1 to 3 kg per day at 350 to 700 bar.
• Integration services: engineering support and custom components for UAS configurations.

• Vietnamese drone manufacturers integrating fuel cell modules into long-endurance mapping and inspection platforms.
• Power transmission and pipeline operators surveying long corridors in a single flight.
• Maritime and border surveillance units needing quiet, persistent aerial monitoring.

• Longer flights and greater range at low altitude than battery-only drones, with greater payload capacity, according to the vendor.
• Power-dense modules from 0.72 kg (300 W) to 3 kg (2 kW) that fit small and medium UAS.
• Complete hydrogen supply chain, including storage and on-site electrolysis, so operators are not dependent on external refuelling.
• Silent operation and low heat signature for persistent surveillance missions.

Battery energy density limits drone endurance for long-range inspection, mapping and surveillance, so hydrogen fuel cells are gaining attention as a zero-emission way to extend flight time. Vietnam is promoting a domestic UAV industry and low-altitude economy, which creates demand for components such as power systems that local drone makers can integrate into longer-range platforms.

Offices in Toulouse, France and Pflugerville, Texas, USA. Teamed with Heven AeroTech on HyTEC under a US Defense Innovation Unit contract; announced a planned joint venture with Hycco for long-range electric flight (November 2025). Nominated in the decarbonized aviation category at La Tribune's Aeroforum 2025; also develops 10 to 375 kW fuel cell systems for aircraft.