Operational Deployment of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell–Powered Raybird UAS for Combat Missions

The Ukrainian Raybird reconnaissance unmanned aerial system (UAS), equipped with an electric propulsion unit powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, has been employed in combat missions along the front line.

According to Skyeton, the manufacturer of the system, the platform is currently in operational use.

The hybrid configuration of the Raybird UAS achieved full operational combat status in December 2025 and was fielded by a unit of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

To support efficient hydrogen energy utilization, Skyeton engineers developed a revised Raybird fuselage architecture specifically designed to accommodate the integration of the hydrogen fuel cell power system.

The updated airframe provides optimized internal volume allocation and mass distribution for the hydrogen power subsystem, while also enabling scalable serial production of this UAS version.

“Through the use of hydrogen-electric propulsion, the platform delivers increased operational efficiency and environmental benefits for both defense and civilian applications,” the company stated.

The serial-production Raybird equipped with an internal combustion engine (ICE) is capable of achieving an endurance of more than 28 hours.

At the same time, as of January 2026, the hybrid variant of the UAV is capable of remaining airborne for approximately 12 hours. Engineers are currently working to increase this endurance to 20 hours.

“Hydrogen fuel is a solution that allows us to combine all the advantages of an electric motor – high reliability and power of the propulsion system, as well as simplified maintenance – with long-endurance continuous flight, which is a defining characteristic of our UAV. Maintaining the balance between these parameters is critical, as the Raybird performs complex deep-reconnaissance missions requiring high-technology payloads, with the average mission duration exceeding 10 hours,” Roman Kniazhenko, CEO of Skyeton, shared.

In addition to the inherent advantages of an electric motor and the capability for long-endurance continuous flight enabled by hydrogen, the new Raybird:

• has an almost negligible thermal signature, as the electric motor generates significantly less heat than an internal combustion engine;
• offers an expanded operational altitude envelope;
• is significantly quieter than its internal combustion engine–powered counterpart.

Both Raybird versions are capable of operating in all climatic conditions within a temperature range of −35 to +55 °C.

Skyeton notes that the hybrid Raybird will be offered to customers as a complete, self-contained solution.