Thunderbirds are GO! Chinese fuel cell powered UAV first flight
Whilst the FAA sits on its hands the Chinese continue to create new UA solutions.
The first full carbon fiber composite structure, hydrogen fuel cell-powered unmanned experimental “Thunderbird” (LN60F) successful first flight flight from Faku airfield, Liaoning province
“Thunderbird” (LN60F) hydrogen fuel cell-powered unmanned test machine by AVIC Group funded independent research, led by Yang Fengtian, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, Liaoning General Aviation Institute. Liaoning General Aviation Institute, jointly set up by the Shenyang University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute, the aircraft industry aerodynamic Institute of units.
The high efficiency of the demonstrator aerodynamic shape, completely independent research and development of the whole carbon fiber composite structure of the body, hydrogen fuel cell power systems, highly efficient electric propulsion systems, flight control system, the ground command system, etc., to manufacture, with independent intellectual property rights. The unmanned demonstrator laminar flow airfoil on the wing, the aerodynamic layout of the T-tail; all-carbon fiber composite structure of the body; hydrogen fuel cell power systems. Wingspan of 10.5 meters and height 2.2 m, 4.7 m of the captain, take-off weight of 257 kg, cruising speed 120Km / h, the life time of 4 hours.
Flight using autonomous take-off, independent cruising, autonomous landing of the whole autonomous control mode. Take-off climb fuel cell and lithium battery drive, cruise, landing stage driven by the fuel cell alone. Can be widely used in aerial photography, aerial survey, environmental monitoring, security inspections and other important areas.
A successful test flight of the UAV in the field of development of China’s new energy vehicle has a pioneering history. Countries vigorously promote the development of general aviation and application of clean green energy policy under the guidance of the demonstrator, the successful development of social and broad application prospects.
