Aurora Flight Sciences is pushing the boundaries of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) endurance with the SKIRON-XLE, a new hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft designed for long-range reconnaissance.
First tested in 2024, the SKIRON-XLE is the latest evolution in Aurora’s SKIRON Expeditionary UAS line, developed to meet the demanding needs of both commercial and military operators.
At just 54 pounds, the SKIRON-XLE is lightweight, portable, and can be deployed by a two-person team from a standard vehicle—making it highly versatile in remote or tactical environments. The use of Intelligent Energy’s hydrogen fuel cell technology allows the aircraft to achieve flight durations exceeding seven hours, a significant improvement over battery-powered alternatives. By offering more energy without the weight penalty of conventional batteries, the fuel cell system dramatically extends operational range and mission capability.
Set for commercial release in 2025, the SKIRON-XLE is poised to support a wide range of missions including parcel delivery, infrastructure and civil inspections, cinematography, agriculture, military surveillance, and precision mapping with LiDAR.
Fuel cell-powered UAS like the SKIRON-XLE are seen as a major leap forward in endurance and efficiency—key factors for operators who need long-duration performance in the field.
