Dronamics, a UK- and Bulgaria-based middle-mile cargo drone manufacturer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) to use the latter's hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion systems in Dronamics' Black Swan cargo drone aircraft.

This collaboration includes a letter of intent (LOI) for CAeS to supply a “substantial number of” propulsion systems from 2026. CAeS plans to develop a modification pack for the Black Swan, enabling the conversion of conventionally powered versions into zero-emissions hydrogen fuel-cell variants.

The companies first partnered in November 2022 to conduct a feasibility study and have concluded that CAeS' hydrogen fuel-cell system is well-suited for the Black Swan aircraft's payload, cargo volume, and range requirements.

Analyst QuickTake: Dronamics is not the only drone-based delivery services provider to incorporate hydrogen-based systems for their drones. In fact, DroneUp announced plans to test its drones using hydrogen fuel-cell technology developed by South Korean company Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) in April 2023, and Wingcopter inked a deal with Hamburg-based ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research in March 2023 for similar purposes.