On April 20, 2025, Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) achieved a major technical breakthrough in Pengzhou, Chengdu: the self‑developed FC‑30 hydrogen fuel cell full‑condition extended‑range hybrid‑wing UAV completed its first full-process flight test.The successful maiden flight serves as a key milestone for the development of China’s green aviation technology and marks brand‑new technical progress in China’s low‑altitude economy.
Three Core Technical Innovations of FC-30 Hydrogen‑Powered UAV
Adopting a new‑generation proton‑exchange‑membrane technology, the hydrogen fuel cell power system delivers an energy conversion efficiency exceeding 65%, far outperforming conventional internal‑combustion engines. With optimized hydrogen storage and supply, it ensures stable operation across the full temperature range from‑30 °C to 50°C. Its only emission is pure water, fulfilling the zero‑carbon target.
The full‑condition range-extension solution integrates an intelligent energy management system, which automatically adjusts energy output according to different flight phases. Its endurance is more than three times longer than lithium-battery-powered UAVs of the same size. Built with lightweight carbon‑fiber materials, the hybrid-wing design supports both vertical take-off & landing and high‑speed cruise. The variable-angle wing boosts cruise efficiency by 40%, with wind resistance up to Level6.
FC‑30 Hydrogen‑Powered UAV Unlocks Four High‑value Tracks for Low‑altitude Economy, Driving Over RMB 12 Billion Output Value of Hydrogen‑aviation Industrial Chain
- Logistics Revolution: Extended endurance enables hundred‑kilometer delivery of medical supplies with a 60 % cost reduction. Delivery efficiency for mountainous and island areas rises by 80 %, winning recognition from leading logistics enterprises including JD Logistics and SF Express.
- Breakthrough in Emergency Rescue: Zero‑emission performance enables missions in sensitive environments, such as toxic‑gas monitoring and 8‑hour non‑stop post‑earthquake site survey.
- Agricultural Upgrade: Selected for Sichuan Smart Agriculture Program. A single unit can cover 3,000 mu per day with zero pollutant emission and a 90 % drop in livestock disturbance rate.
- Urban‑oriented Scenarios: Power‑inspection efficiency triples; endurance for border patrol reaches four times that of conventional aircraft. It is projected to capture 18 % of the industrial UAV market share by 2028.
NEWTEQ DCFM-UD-0049-60 DC/DC Converter
The fuel‑cell system of FC‑30 hydrogen‑powered UAV is fitted with the NEWTEQ DCFM-UD-0049-60 DC/DC power converter. Developed specifically for lightweight applications such as UAVs, this product series covers a power range of 1-3 kW. It weighs no more than 0.6 kg with a power density of 5 kW/kg and peak efficiency up to 98.5 %. Multiple control modes are tailored to the characteristics of hydrogen fuel cell systems, delivering reliable support for long‑duration UAV flights.
