Rein Powers China's First Large UAV Equipped with a Megawatt-Class Hydrogen Engine
Location：Hunan
Delivery Time：2026
Project Highlight
There were no hydrogen leaks in the system's high-pressure and low-pressure pipelines, the high-pressure and low-pressure solenoid valves could open and close normally, and the control system feedback was normal.
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Project Overview
As hydrogen energy expands beyond ground transportation and industrial applications, aviation is emerging as one of the most promising frontiers. On April 4, 2026, China's first large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) powered by a megawatt-class hydrogen fuel engine successfully completed its maiden flight at Lusong Airport in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province.
The UAV, carrying an AEP100 megawatt hydrogen engine and a payload exceeding 3 tons, completed a stable 16-minute flight covering 36 kilometers. The milestone was officially covered by national media and represents an important breakthrough in hydrogen-powered aviation.
Rein was proud to participate in this pioneering project by providing the hydrogen storage and ground refueling systems that enabled safe and stable operation throughout the entire testing and flight process.
The Challenge
Hydrogen-powered aircraft place extremely high demands on onboard storage and fueling systems.
The customer required:
- High-pressure hydrogen storage with reliable gas supply.
- Stable pressure output for a megawatt-class hydrogen engine.
- Zero leakage throughout testing and flight.
- Fast and safe hydrogen refueling.
- Highly integrated control and safety systems.
To ensure flight safety, every component needed to perform flawlessly under demanding operating conditions.
Rein's Hydrogen Storage Solution
After receiving the project requirements, Rein mobilized its core engineering team to provide a complete hydrogen storage and fueling solution.
The system included:
Hydrogen Storage System
- 9-cylinder hydrogen storage bank
- Capacity: 210L × 9 cylinders
- High-pressure hydrogen storage architecture
- Integrated intelligent control system
Ground Hydrogen Refueling System
- 90 MPa three-stage liquid-driven hydrogen compressor
- Filling pressure: 70 MPa
- Single-stage pressure reduction system
- Continuous hydrogen supply at 4.5 MPa for the engine
Prior to the maiden flight, Rein engineers conducted extensive testing, including:
- Single-channel hydrogen supply testing
- Dual-channel hydrogen supply testing
- Pressure stability verification
- Leak detection tests
- Control system response verification
Stable Performance Throughout the Flight Mission
During both ground testing and the official flight mission, Rein's hydrogen system demonstrated exceptional reliability.
The pressure regulator maintained the engine operating pressure steadily without fluctuation.
Meanwhile:
No hydrogen leakage was detected in either high-pressure or low-pressure pipelines.High- and low-pressure solenoid valves operated normally.
The control system provided stable feedback throughout the mission.
The entire system met all operational requirements and received strong recognition from the project owner.
Supporting the Future of Hydrogen Aviation
The successful maiden flight not only validated the feasibility of megawatt-class hydrogen propulsion but also demonstrated Rein's capabilities in:
- High-pressure hydrogen storage systems
- Hydrogen fueling infrastructure
- Aviation hydrogen applications
- Integrated hydrogen supply systems
- Customized hydrogen engineering solutions
As hydrogen aviation continues to evolve, Rein is committed to developing safer, lighter, and more efficient hydrogen storage technologies for UAVs, aircraft, and other advanced mobility applications.
Looking for Hydrogen Storage Solutions for Aviation or Advanced Mobility?
Rein provides customized hydrogen storage systems, hydrogen fueling equipment, and integrated hydrogen solutions for aerospace, industrial gas, and clean energy projects worldwide.
Contact Rein today to discuss your hydrogen project requirements.
Pioneering the future of clean energy,
exploring innovative hydrogen technologies
Contact us for expert storage and transportation solutions
