Swiss drone manufacturer Dufour Aerospace has completed flight tests of its in-house designed hybrid-electric system for its Aero2 drone. During the tests, the aircraft transitioned from vertical takeoff to forward flight while generating power, recharging its batteries.

The Aero2’s tilt-wing design enables vertical takeoff before transitioning to forward flight, with high-performance batteries powering takeoff and a hybrid system generating electricity in the air. The aircraft currently uses conventional gasoline, but is being readied for heavier fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel and kerosene.

Dufour's CEO, Sascha Hardegger, says: “All of Dufour’s in-house developments - the Flight Control System and Control Software, Power Management System, and the integrated Powertrain - must work together seamlessly to achieve this.”

The Aero2 is designed for critical cargo deliveries, such as medical supplies and spare parts, as well as remote-sensing applications. Its self-charging hybrid system allows for back-to-back missions without prolonged ground charging, significantly reducing downtime.