Fuel Cells: A Real Option for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Propulsion

Table 1

Examples of power densities of different UAV powerplant components.

Specifications from manufacturers’ websites
Type	Manufacturer/model	Weight; (kg)	Peak power; (kW)	Power density; (kW/kg)	Application
Reciprocating engine (two-stroke)	Rotax 503 [9]	33.2	37	1.11	INTA SIVA UAV (SR)
Turboprop	Honeywell TPE 331-10 [10]	153	671	4.38	PREDATOR B (MALE)
Turbofan	Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B [11]	347	18.32 kN	10.86	PREDATOR C; (MALE, 741 km/h)
Electric motor	ElectriFly GPMG4805 Brushless DC [12]	1.48	8.4	5.68	Radio-Controlled Aircraft
Lithium ion battery	ANR 26650 Cylindrical [13]	—	—	2.60	Portable high power
H2 fuel cell	UTRC Gen 1 [14]	1.78	1.2	0.675	Helicopter mini-UAV
H2 fuel cell	Protonex Ion Tiger UAV (NRL) [15]	1	0.550	0.550	Fixed-wing CR UAV
Solar array	Several Manufacturers [16]	—	—	0.06	Spacecraft Applications
Wankel	O.S. Engines 49-PI Type II 4.97 cc [17]	0.333	0.934	2.8	UAV Wankel engine