South African zero-emissions aviation startup company FlyH2 Aerospace (FlyH2) has announced that its prototype uncrewed aerial vehicle, the Dragonfly V (five) is successfully continuing its flight test programme. The announcement was made at the recent Africa’s Green Economy Summit 2025, held in Cape Town. The prototype Dragonfly V was on static display throughout the conference.

Although currently powered by batteries, the UAV has been designed from the start to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells. So far, it has made three test flights, which were focused on flight dynamics, power use and stability.

“We want to get South Africa involved in the development of zero-emissions aviation,” FlyH2 founder and CEO Mark van Wyk tells Engineering News. “Our idea is to exploit the developing green hydrogen economy in Southern Africa.”

With long-range and high endurance, the Dragonfly V is ideal for operations across the wide spaces of Africa. Applications include wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching operations, pipeline and power line inspections, and delivery of urgent cargo, such as medical supplies, to remote or disaster-stricken locations.

The UAV is of simple layout, with modular construction. It is made from composite materials, mainly fibreglass, and its fuselage is basically a tube. The V-tail surfaces are interchangeable. If any part of the airframe is damaged, it can easily be replaced. The airframe components are manufactured locally, while the avionics are imported.

“Although the construction is simple, the design involved a lot of aerodynamic engineering,” he explains. “The wing has a profile we designed ourselves.”

The power source (currently batteries, later a fuel cell stack and hydrogen fuel) is carried in a pod under the fuselage. Payloads will be carried under the wings. Extra fuel can also be carried under the wings.   

The Dragonfly V is powered by two 4.8 kW electric motors. However, it only needs 900 W to take off at maximum take-off weight, giving it lots of surplus power. This contributes to an excellent short take-off and landing capability. Already, without using its flaps, the prototype has demonstrated that it can take off and land in just 90 m. The UAV will be fitted with a radio altimeter to allow it to make totally autonomous take-offs and landings. Production models will have an endurance of 16 hours.

As previously mentioned, the production UAV will be powered by fuel cells. These are clean, with low vibration (which reduces airframe fatigue), and need to be serviced only every 1 000 hours. So, in parallel with the aircraft, the company is also developing the hydrogen fuel cell stack to power it. These fuel cells will use gaseous hydrogen as fuel.

FlyH2 aims to both commercialise the stack (beyond the aerospace sector) and produce it in-house, thereby shortening the supply chain. The fuel cell stack will be integrated with the UAV during the course of this year. Initially, the fuel cells will be imported from Europe, followed by the start of local production of some of the components. The percentage of local content will be increased over time.

In developing local fuel cell technology, FlyH2 is working with HySA Catalysts and the University of Cape Town. This effort is focused on developing ruggedised high-power-density fuel cells. A key step in this will be extending the life of the membrane electrode assemblies, which will cut long-term operating costs.

The company’s development of both the UAV and the fuel cell stack has been supported by a research and development grant. But FlyH2 is now looking for a commercialisation partner, to bring the Dragonfly V to the market.

“We expect to launch the UAV on to the market during this year,” says Van Wyk. “The initial aim is to act as ‘UAV as a service’ supplier, and not sell the UAVs themselves. But, later, that could change.”