Review of key technologies for hydrogen powered unmanned aerial vehicles

As one of the most promising types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) powered by new energy sources, hydrogen-powered UAVs are closely linked to the concept of green aviation and low-altitude economic scenarios. To provide a reference for the design of hydrogen powered UAVs, this paper summarizes the key areas and technical issues involved in the development of hydrogen powered UAVs, and reviews relevant research. The review first outlines the development history, technical advantages, application scenarios, and common examples of hydrogen powered UAVs. Subsequently, it categorizes and discusses the key issues related to hydrogen powered UAVs in four major technical areas: overall design technology, structural design technology, power system design technology, and flight control technology. Moreover, the technical frontiers faced in each area and the current research conducted by researchers both domestically and internationally are analyzed. Finally, combining the relevant technological advancements, the paper proposes suggestions and outlooks for the development of hydrogen powered UAVs. The research indicates that the development potential of hydrogen powered UAVs has not been fully explored, and joint efforts across multiple disciplines and fields to leverage hydrogen's crucial role in extending UAV endurance are required so as to reduce onboard weight, and promote green aviation development.