South Korean aerospace startup Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) has set a new world endurance record for hydrogen fuel cell-powered multirotor drones, keeping its DS40 platform airborne for 12 hours and 7 minutes.
How Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work in Drones
Unlike conventional battery-powered drones, hydrogen fuel cell systems generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The only by-product is water vapour. DMI’s proprietary fuel cell stack achieves a power density of 2.1 kW/kg.
Applications and Significance
The 12-hour endurance capability opens applications previously impractical for multirotor drones: maritime surveillance, continuous infrastructure monitoring, extended search and rescue, and persistent border surveillance.
“Endurance has always been the Achilles’ heel of multirotor drones,” said Doo-Soon Lee, CEO of DMI. “Hydrogen fuel cells change the equation entirely.”
The long-endurance capabilities are particularly relevant for operators conducting extended aerial missions. In sectors like coastal aerial surveying and environmental monitoring, the transition from battery to hydrogen power could fundamentally change operational planning.
Commercialisation Timeline
DMI plans commercial deliveries in Q3 2026, priced at approximately US$85,000. Initial availability in South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the EU.
