An aircraft comprising a hydrogen-containing envelope, a water-collection system for collecting water from the envelope, an electrolyser to convert the water collected using the water-collection system into hydrogen, and a hydrogen-replenishment system for replenishing the envelope with hydrogen generated using the electrolyser. In one embodiment, generated hydrogen is also supplied to a hydrogen-fueled propulsion system for propulsion of the aircraft.

A lighter-than-air craft includes an envelope defining an interior region. A lifting gas at least partially including hydrogen is located within the interior region. The lifting gas provides buoyancy for the lighter-than-air craft. A hydrogen fuel cell is fluidically coupled with the interior region. An inerting gas is located within the envelope, and the inerting gas at least partially includes exhaust from the hydrogen fuel cell. The inerting gas and the lifting gas have respective volumes such that a mixture thereof is nonflammable during operating conditions for the lighter-than-air craft. The hydrogen fuel cell is able to utilize the hydrogen of the lifting gas to generate electricity. A propulsion system is coupled to the envelope and is able to provide propulsion for the lighter-than-air craft.

A lighter-than-air craft includes an envelope defining an interior region. A lifting gas at least partially including hydrogen is located within the interior region. The lifting gas provides buoyancy for the lighter-than-air craft. A hydrogen fuel cell is fluidically coupled with the interior region. An inerting gas is located within the envelope, and the inerting gas at least partially includes exhaust from the hydrogen fuel cell. The inerting gas and the lifting gas have respective volumes such that a mixture thereof is nonflammable during operating conditions for the lighter-than-air craft. The hydrogen fuel cell is able to utilize the hydrogen of the lifting gas to generate electricity. A propulsion system is coupled to the envelope and is able to provide propulsion for the lighter-than-air craft.

An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

An intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system is disclosed including a ground station and one or more aerial vehicles. The aerial vehicles are autonomous systems capable of communicating intelligence data to the ground station and be used as part of a missile delivery package. A plurality of aerial vehicles can be configured to cast a wide net of reconnaissance over a large area on the ground including smaller overlapping reconnaissance areas provided by each of the plurality of the aerial vehicles.

An intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system is disclosed including a ground station and one or more aerial vehicles. The aerial vehicles are autonomous systems capable of communicating intelligence data to the ground station and be used as part of a missile delivery package. A plurality of aerial vehicles can be configured to cast a wide net of reconnaissance over a large area on the ground including smaller overlapping reconnaissance areas provided by each of the plurality of the aerial vehicles.