DIU Picks First Hydrogen-Powered Drone as Top-Tier Blue UAS Platform
The US Defense Innovation Unit has added the first hydrogen-powered drone to its Blue UAS Select list, the program’s highest tier of trusted systems approved for rapid acquisition and deployment.
Developed by Virginia-based Heven AeroTech, the Z1 passed strict Pentagon benchmarks on cybersecurity, secure parts sourcing, and reliable performance in the field.
The certification gives the aircraft an Authority to Operate across US military components and federal partners, making the technology one of the few drones formally recognized by the agency that could fill critical operational gaps.
“The Z1 becoming a Blue UAS Select platform is a major milestone for Heven AeroTech,” said Bentzion Levinson, CEO at Heven AeroTech.
“This designation confirms that our hydrogen-powered technology meets the highest standards for security, endurance, and mission adaptability.”
The Z1 System
Heven AeroTech’s Z1 is a vertical takeoff and landing solution designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and other tasks requiring strong sensors.
The drone, weighing 55 pounds (25 kilograms), can be set up and launched in under five minutes without tools, supporting rapid mission readiness in both remote and confined areas.
Z1 can carry up to 10 pounds (5 kilograms) of equipment and has low acoustic and thermal signatures, allowing quiet operation in sensitive or hostile environments, while its modular bays let operators swap payloads as required.
The aircraft’s hydrogen fuel cells deliver higher energy density than conventional batteries, powering long-range, multi-stop missions without frequent refueling.
With this capability, the drone reaches speeds up to 64 miles (103 kilometers) per hour, flies for more than 10 hours, and covers a one-way range of 460 miles (740 kilometers).
