ISAE-SUPAERO and H3 Dynamics Develop a Zero-emission Pilotless Aircraft to Cross the Atlantic Ocean
23.11.2020 14:00:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
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
Access Advance Welcomes Wave of New Licensees to the HEVC Advance Patent Pool8.7.2026 03:00:00 EEST | Press release
Access Advance LLC, the leading HEVC patent pool administrator, today announced a significant expansion of the HEVC Advance Patent Pool, with 28 companies executing licenses in the first half of 2026. The new Licensees span consumer electronics, automotive, telecommunications, industrial technology, and professional security, reflecting the breadth of industries in which HEVC has become a foundational video technology. "HEVC remains the cornerstone of modern video delivery, and the demand we are seeing from new Licensees speaks to the long-term commercial relevance of this technology," said Peter Moller, CEO of Access Advance. "HEVC licensing activity has been consistently strong, and we are pleased to welcome a number of important new participants to the program." Notably, nine video surveillance equipment manufacturers have joined the HEVC Advance program as Licensees, ranging from three of the world's largest video surveillance equipment makers to specialized developers of security
Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up Returns for 48 th Annual Race on Oct. 68.7.2026 01:22:00 EEST | Press release
The Empire State Building Observation Deck (ESB), atop the “World’s Most Famous Building,” today announced that general lottery registration is open for this year's Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up (ESBRU), which will run through July 20, 2026. The annual race, presented by NYU Langone Health and powered by Merrell, will take place on Oct. 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260707902561/en/ Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up Returns for 48th Annual Race on Oct. 6 This year’s race marks the 48th anniversary of the event, in which 225 runners will race up 1,576 stairs of the iconic New York City landmark to reach the world-famous 86th Floor Observation Deck. “Every year, the Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up is a remarkable feat for all who participate as they race up to Tripadvisor's #1 top attraction in the U.S.,” said Tony Malkin, chairman and CEO of the Emp
Modon's Hudayriyat Golf Estates Sets UAE Record With More Than AED 13 Billion in Sales Within Days of Launch7.7.2026 21:36:00 EEST | Press release
Modon has set a new benchmark for the UAE real estate market with the launch of Hudayriyat Golf Estates on Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260707126559/en/ Modon's Hudayriyat Golf Estates sets UAE record with more than AED 13 billion in sales within days of launch (Photo: AETOSWire) Within days of launch, the community achieved record-breaking sales exceeding AED 13 billion, marking the highest publicly recorded sales value for a single residential project launch in the UAE. Comprising an exclusive collection of golf mansions, villas, and townhouses, the development saw 1,700 of its residences sold after few days of launch. The response from buyers and investors reflects confidence in Abu Dhabi’s real estate market and Modon’s development vision, while reinforcing Hudayriyat Island’s position as a premier lifestyle destination. Designed around privacy, wellbeing and premium living
Loomis Sayles Growth Equity Strategies Team Celebrates Twenty-Year Milestones7.7.2026 17:36:00 EEST | Press release
Loomis, Sayles & Company, the century-old investment manager with nearly $418 billion in assets under management, proudly celebrates the 20-year anniversaries of the Loomis Sayles Large Cap Growth and the Loomis Sayles All Cap Growth strategies, as well as a differentiated approach to growth equity investing under the leadership of Aziz V. Hamzaogullari, CFA, the founder, chief investment officer and portfolio manager of the Loomis Sayles Growth Equity Strategies (GES) Team. Aziz is also an executive vice president and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260707992418/en/ Celebrating 20 Years of The Power of Active Management Done Right GES is a cohesive team with 20 years of alpha generation and a long-term, private equity approach to investing. Under Aziz Hamzaogullari’s leadership since 2010, assets under management for GES have grown from $1.9 billion to $98.2 billion
Integral Ad Science Appoints Lidiane Jones Chief Executive Officer7.7.2026 16:35:00 EEST | Press release
Integral Ad Science (IAS), one of the world's most trusted media quality companies, today announced the appointment of Lidiane Jones as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Jones succeeds Lisa Utzschneider, who led IAS for more than seven years and will remain with the company as Special Advisor to the Board through the end of 2026 to support a seamless transition. Utzschneider will also serve as a Special Advisor to Novacap and their portfolio companies. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260707780892/en/ Lidiane Jones: Integral Ad Science CEO, Photo Credit: Pamela Hanson The appointment reflects IAS's long-term strategic vision for the future of digital advertising. As AI transforms how media is planned, bought, measured, and optimized, advertisers increasingly need trusted intelligence to make real-time decisions. Jones's deep expertise across product, technology, and AI uniquely positions IAS to bu
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