ISAE-SUPAERO and H3 Dynamics Develop a Zero-emission Pilotless Aircraft to Cross the Atlantic Ocean
ISAE-SUPAERO:
Extracting energy for ultra-long range flights
Since the pioneering work of Lord Rayleigh in 1883, it has been observed that some birds such as Albatrosses can achieve outstanding flight durations and ranges by using wind gradients over flat surfaces. More recently, two Ph.D. programs conducted at ISAE-SUPAERO have provided new insights into the physical mechanism which consists of extracting energy from wind gradients with the objective of transferring the strategy onto fixed-wing drones. A potential range gain of 40% for a given drone has been identified and this can be achieved by applying the flight strategies inspired from Albatrosses and other natural flyers.
The ambition of the ‘Drone Mermoz’ project is to combine different sources of energy in order to achieve a long-range flight with a 100% electrically powered drone. The challenge will consist of following the historical route taken by Jean Mermoz in 1930 between Dakar (Senegal) and Natal (Brazil). The total distance is about 3000 kilometers which proves impossible with a conventional battery-based electric drone.
The key technology to achieving such a long-range flight is based on fuel cells supplied by H3 Dynamics. Because fuel cells produce electricity from Hydrogen and only reject water into the atmosphere, Drone Mermoz will be a collaborative effort between H3 Dynamics and ISAE-SUPAERO to design, manufacture and fly the first 100% green drone to achieve such long distances. Using the best aircraft design strategies available, ISAE-SUPAERO will endeavour to design an optimized drone with a total mass of less than 25 kg to make an attempt at the record in 2021.
ISAE-SUPAERO’s commitment towards sustainable development
The ‘Drone Mermoz’ initiative is in line with ISAE-SUPAERO’s investment in innovative aeronautical and space technologies in a sustainable development perspective.
ISAE-SUPAERO is well aware of the environmental issues such as climate change and energy transition. It has embarked on a mission to raise awareness and the direction of research at ISAE-SUPAERO puts in place environment-conscious research programs thanks to technological innovations and eco-design of cleaner aircrafts.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201123005792/en/
Contact information
Leïla Colaud
leila.c@oxygen-rp.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Argo Infrastructure Partners Increases Ownership and Capital Commitment to TierPoint10.12.2025 00:00:00 EET | Press release
Argo Infrastructure Partners, LP (“Argo”), an established mid-market asset manager of essential infrastructure assets in North America, today announced it has acquired on behalf of its managed funds the equity interests of the majority of minority shareholders in TierPoint. The transaction reflects Argo’s continued conviction in TierPoint’s strategy and growth potential during a period of accelerating demand for TierPoint’s enterprise-class data center services. Since Argo’s initial investment in 2020, $3 billion of capital has been raised to fund growth and reduce TierPoint’s cost of capital by terming out debt facilities. The investment capital has advanced TierPoint’s market position as a data center services provider to enterprises, government organizations, hyperscalers and other consumers of state-of-the-art digital infrastructure. With these investments, Argo has supported the national expansion of TierPoint’s data center platform, and its efforts to meet and exceed customers’ r
Venture Global Announces Closing of $3,000,000,000 Senior Secured Notes by Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC9.12.2025 23:30:00 EET | Press release
Venture Global, Inc. (“Venture Global”, NYSE: VG) announced today that its subsidiary, Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC (“VGPL”) has closed an offering of $3,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes, which has been issued in two series: (i) a series of 6.125% senior secured notes due 2030 in an aggregate principal amount of $1,750,000,000 (the “2030 Notes”) and (ii) a series of 6.500% senior secured notes due 2034 in an aggregate principal amount of $1,250,000,000 (the “2034 Notes” and, together with the 2030 Notes, the “Notes”). The 2030 Notes will mature on December 15, 2030, and the 2034 Notes will mature on June 15, 2034. Venture Global had previously announced the issuance of $2,500,000,000 of senior secured notes by VGPL on April 21, 2025, and $4,000,000,000 of senior secured notes by VGPL on July 3, 2025 (collectively, the “Existing Notes”), bringing the combined aggregate amount of senior secured notes issued by VGPL to $9,500,000,000 since the project
Doha Debates Hosts “In The Room: The Negotiators Podcast” Live at Doha Forum9.12.2025 19:09:00 EET | Press release
Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates spotlighted the practice of high-stakes negotiation with a special live episode of its award-winning podcast with Foreign Policy, The Negotiators, at Doha Forum, following the launch of the podcast series’ fifth season on December 1. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209171106/en/ Doha Debates spotlighted the practice of high-stakes negotiation with a special live episode of its award-winning podcast with Foreign Policy, The Negotiators, at Doha Forum, following the launch of the podcast series’ fifth season on December 1. (Photo: AETOSWire) Held in collaboration with The Negotiators’ special partner for this season, the International Peace Institute (IPI), and Doha Debates’ longstanding production partner, Foreign Policy, the episode featured a compelling conversation between Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad bin Zeid Al Hussein, president and chief executive officer of the International
CoMotion GLOBAL 2025 Concludes in Riyadh with Landmark Deals and Global Mobility Breakthroughs9.12.2025 19:07:00 EET | Press release
CoMotion GLOBAL 2025 concluded today after three transformative days that brought together global decision-makers, industry leaders, city executives, innovators, and investors to chart the future of mobility in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. Hosted for the first time in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh, the event showcased the Kingdom’s accelerating role as a global hub for next-generation transportation, sustainability leadership, and urban innovation. With more than 100 sessions spanning three days, CoMotion GLOBAL showcased forward-looking mobility strategies, multimodal transport breakthroughs, urban digital transformation, AI applications, and the dramatic rethinking of the movement of people and goods across global cities. Key moments from the events included: Launch of the MIT x Kearney report, Envisioning the Future of Mobility Powered by AI, which called for unprecedented public–private collaboration, shared data ecosystems, and integrated national strategies t
HTEC Momentum Recognized as a Clutch Global Honoree and Champion for Fall 20259.12.2025 18:09:00 EET | Press release
HTEC Momentum (formerly Momentum Design Lab), HTEC’s research, product design, management and innovation arm, has earned two of Clutch’s highest distinctions—Global Award honoree and Clutch Champion—reaffirming its ninth straight year as the platform’s top-rated UX agency worldwide. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209358771/en/ HTEC Momentum Recognized as a Clutch Global Honoree and Champion for Fall 2025 The Clutch Global Awards honorees are selected based on demonstrated industry expertise and exceptional delivery—evaluated through thousands of verified client reviews published on Clutch. Clutch’s rigorous, case-study-driven review process includes extensive verification to ensure the authenticity and depth of each submission. These distinctions further underscore HTEC Momentum’s position as a top-rated leader in UX strategy, design, and user research, reflecting the consistent satisfaction of our clients
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom