• Tianmushan-1, a hydrogen-powered multi-rotor UAV, flew 188.605km in a single flight, setting a new Guinness World Record
• Developed by Tianmushan Lab and Beihang University, the zero-emission drone offers 240 minutes of endurance and 100km BVLOS capabilities

China has set a new benchmark in hydrogen aviation with the Tianmushan-1 drone completing the world’s longest flight by a hydrogen fuel cell-powered multi-rotor UAV. The Guinness World Records confirmed the feat on December 11 at the Zhejiang International Intelligent Transportation Industry Expo, after the drone flew 188.605km in a single four-hour, 17-minute flight over Hangzhou. The mass-produced UAV was developed by Tianmushan Laboratory under Beihang University and manufactured by Hangzhou Tianmu Hydrogen Peng Technology.

Launched in August 2024 and commercialised by April 2025, Tianmushan-1 features a 1,600mm wheelbase, weighs 19kg empty, and carries up to 6kg of payload. Its custom-designed hydrogen fuel cell system is paired with a lightweight carbon-fiber frame and ultra-light onboard hydrogen storage. The drone offers 240-minute flight endurance with no payload, operates in extreme temperatures between –40°C and 50°C, and enables 100km autonomous flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

The UAV is already being deployed for long-range low-altitude applications such as pipeline inspections, ecological monitoring, island logistics, traffic surveillance, and emergency response. The record-setting flight was monitored in real time and verified to meet all Guinness criteria, with engineers praising the stability and precision of the hydrogen propulsion system. The drone’s performance is being heralded as a milestone in zero-emission aerial technology and low-altitude green mobility.

Source:   Fuel Cells Works