Israel Aerospace Industries Integrates Horizon Fuel Cell in IAI’s Bird Eye 650 Unmanned Aerial System
- · New Long Endurance (LE) Version Offers 6 Hour Flights Without Increasing Take-off Weight
- · Leap in Flight Endurance Capability sets New Benchmark for Mini-UAS
Singapore, August 23 2010, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Horizon Energy Systems (HES) announce the successful integration of Horizon’s AEROPAK fuel cell as a next-generation power system for IAI’s Bird Eye 650 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Without increasing take-off weight, Horizon’s newly launched fuel cell now enables IAI’s mini-UAS to achieve 6 hour flights, a more than two-fold improvement compared to flights powered by lithium batteries.
“The Bird Eye 650 UAS already offers a high level of operational flexibility with the latest generation autonomous flight and mission capabilities. We put tremendous effort in researching ways to find a power source that can match this impeccable aircraft. We have now equipped it with a state-of-the-art fuel cell system which will clearly make the Bird Eye 650 the best in its class,” said Alex Grinberg, R&D Director of UAS program at IAI MALAT Division.
With an unsurpassed track record of nearly half a century of engineering and manufacturing, and over 600,000 hours of operational flight experience, IAI offers the widest range of combat proven systems and is globally recognized as a world leader in military and commercial aerospace technology development. The Bird Eye 650 is IAI’s advanced mini-UAS system able to provide real-time day/night imagery data for urban operation and ‘over-the-hill’ intelligence.
The AEROPAK is a hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system developed by Singaporean company Horizon Energy Systems (HES). The system provides quiet and reliable electric propulsion, extending the flight durations of mini UAS by several orders of magnitude. Its energy source comes in the form of portable and hot-swappable chemical fuel cartridges.
Prior to the launch of the AEROPAK, extended flight endurance capabilities were restricted to larger, more costly UAS platforms, mainly due to limitations of their battery power source. Now with a smaller, more flexible and cost-effective fuel cell power solution, mini-UAS can undertake sophisticated missions such as persistent surveillance, reconnaissance (ISTAR), patrol and convoys escort, and other special tasks.
Gareth Tang, Managing Director of HES, further added, “The AEROPAK is a game-changing propulsion power system. The advantages it brings are beyond power, weight and energy, since it impacts on mission operation modes. The AEROPAK reduces the number of take-offs while simultaneously expanding mission radius and operation coverage, reducing casualty, and easing logistical burden and cost. We are proud to collaborate with IAI and contribute to improving the performance of the Bird Eye 650”.
The AEROPAK is a culmination of several years of R&D development by HES in Singapore. The company will showcase the fuel cell enabled Bird Eye 650 LE (Long Endurance), conduct live demonstrations, and take production orders at the upcoming AUVSI trade-fair in Denver, Colorado (August 24-27, 2010 / Booth 2828).
About Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI):
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a globally recognized leader in development and production of military and commercial aerospace and defense systems. It is the largest aerospace & defense company and the largest industrial exporter in Israel. IAI’s MALAT Division spearheads the design and manufacture of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS’s), offering a family of systems that varies in size, mission and sensors, mainly for defense-oriented customers. MALAT systems are in operational service with 43 customers, are deployed on four continents and have accumulated over 600,000 flight hours.
About Horizon Energy Systems (HES):
Horizon Energy Systems (HES), is a world leader in the development and manufacturing of advanced fuel cell power systems dedicated to the Aerospace & Defense Industries. Based in Singapore, HES demonstrated its first hydrogen flight in 2006 and has since continued to accumulate hundreds of hours of fuel cell powered flight time. These valuable experiences, coupled with cutting-edge technologies, make Horizon Energy Systems a world-class supplier of long endurance, high performance fuel cell power systems to leading UAV manufacturers around the world. To find out more, visit www.hes.sg or contact sales@hes.sg.
