A hydrogen-powered cargo drone takes off from Liuheng Island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, to deliver medical supplies. [Photo/Tide News]

A DJI FC30 modified by Zhejiang Hydrogen Aviation Technology Co became China’s first hydrogen-powered cargo drone and completed a cross-island flight in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, according to Tide News on Nov 1.

The FlyCart 30 is developed by Da Jiang Innovations, a global leader in civilian drones.

Under the control of a drone pilot, the modified DJI FC30 took off from Liuheng Island through heavy rain and level 7 gusts to deliver medical supplies to Xuanshan Island. The drone then returned to its starting point, covering over 18 kilometers in just 25 minutes.

While most drones on the market rely on lithium batteries, this FC30 has been equipped with a hydrogen power system. This upgrade extends its flight time to one hour, three times longer than its original lithium battery configuration, and allows it to carry a payload of 15 kilograms, according to Zhong Dahong, the drone supervisor at Zhejiang Hydrogen Aviation Technology Co.

Leveraging its extensive experience in air-cooled fuel cells, the company is driving continuous technological innovation in the field of aviation applications.

The hydrogen-powered drones have already demonstrated their high reliability in rigorous field tests in extreme conditions such as altitudes up to 5,300 meters and temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.