Drone powered by liquid hydrogen takes to the skies
This week, a drone powered by liquid hydrogen will take to the skies in the Netherlands for the first time.
Published on August 25, 2025
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This week, a drone powered by liquid hydrogen will take to the skies in the Netherlands for the first time, reports the FD. The Netherlands Aerospace Center (NLR) is conducting test flights with the Hydra-2, which derives its energy from a special tank containing liquid hydrogen.
Because the drone gets its energy from liquid hydrogen, it can stay in the air longer and cover greater distances. Hydrogen is considered a promising alternative for sustainable aviation. If the hydrogen is produced using green energy, there are no CO₂ emissions, only water vapor. Thanks to its low density and high energy value — three to four times higher than that of kerosene — hydrogen is suitable as a fuel. It can be stored in tanks in both gaseous and liquid form.
In the long term, the developers hope to fly a two-seater electric aircraft with it. The Hydra-2 was developed at the recently opened Quick Response Drone Facility, where new drone innovations can be quickly tested and applied.
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