Rein Supports China's First Large Hydrogen-Powered UAV Equipped with a Megawatt Engine
Author：
Times：2026-06-23
Read：
A major milestone in hydrogen aviation has been achieved.
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 flight was widely covered by national media and marks a significant breakthrough in the application of hydrogen technology in advanced aviation.
Rein proudly contributed to this landmark project by providing critical hydrogen storage and fueling technologies that ensured safe and reliable hydrogen supply throughout testing and flight operations.
A New Chapter for Hydrogen Aviation
The aircraft was equipped with the AEP100 megawatt-class hydrogen fuel engine and carried a payload of more than 3 tons.
The UAV successfully:
- Flew continuously for 16 minutes
- Covered a flight distance of 36 kilometers
- Maintained stable performance throughout the mission
- Demonstrated the feasibility of hydrogen-powered heavy UAVs
The successful flight is an important step toward the commercialization of hydrogen-powered aviation technologies.
Rein Delivers Critical Hydrogen Infrastructure
To support the project, Rein rapidly assembled a dedicated engineering team and delivered a complete hydrogen storage and fueling solution.
The supplied system included:
- A 9-cylinder hydrogen storage bank (210L × 9)
- Integrated hydrogen control system
- 90 MPa three-stage liquid-driven hydrogen compressor
- 70 MPa hydrogen refueling capability
- Pressure regulation system with 4.5 MPa continuous output
The system underwent comprehensive testing before the flight, including single-channel and dual-channel hydrogen supply verification.
Reliable Performance Under Demanding Conditions
Throughout the ground tests and official flight mission, Rein’s hydrogen solution operated smoothly and safely.
The pressure regulator maintained stable hydrogen supply to the megawatt-class engine without fluctuations.
In addition:
- No hydrogen leakage occurred.
- High-pressure and low-pressure pipelines remained stable.
- Solenoid valves operated normally.
- The intelligent control system performed without abnormalities.
The project owner highly recognized the overall performance and reliability of Rein’s hydrogen equipment.
Driving Innovation in Hydrogen Energy
The successful maiden flight demonstrates Rein’s strong capabilities in high-pressure hydrogen storage and hydrogen refueling technologies.
More importantly, it highlights the expanding role of hydrogen energy in future aviation and advanced mobility applications.
As global demand for clean energy solutions grows, Rein will continue to invest in advanced hydrogen storage technologies and develop innovative solutions for aviation, transportation, and industrial energy applications.
Through continuous innovation, Rein is committed to helping customers worldwide accelerate the transition to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable hydrogen future.
Share：
Pioneering the future of clean energy,
exploring innovative hydrogen technologies
Contact us for expert storage and transportation solutions
