Military to Pilot Sword Drone Operations Starting November

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The latest hydrogen fuel cell technology applied to small drones will be deployed for military surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

On the 17th, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that through the Rapid Prototyping Acquisition Project, it has signed a purchase contract for 'Hydrogen Powerpack Drones' with Doosan Mobility Innovation Co., Ltd., and plans to conduct military trial operations starting this November.

The hydrogen powerpack drone is a small drone but can fly for a long time compared to conventional battery drones (over 90 minutes with electro-optical and infrared cameras installed).

Compared to gasoline drones, it has the advantages of low noise and low vibration, enabling covert surveillance and reconnaissance missions, DAPA explained.

The Rapid Prototyping Acquisition Project is a program that quickly develops weapon system prototypes based on civilian products and technologies before the official requirement decision, or allows the military to trial operate products with new technologies to verify their applicability. The military decides on actual requirements after the trial operation is completed.

Although it is a trial operation, this is the first time that drones equipped with advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology are utilized by the military.

A DAPA official said, "This trial project is expected to serve as a catalyst, creating new defense sector demands by expanding the construction of hydrogen infrastructure (storage, transportation, charging, etc.) and applying it as a power source for various weapon systems such as large drones, vehicles, and armored vehicles."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.