H3 Dynamics‘s Quentin Barascud on hydrogen aviation and fuel cell innovation
04/09/2025
Hydrogen is increasingly viewed as one of the most promising long-term solutions for decarbonising aviation, but significant technological and infrastructure hurdles remain. At this year’s Aerospace Test & Development Show, Quentin Barascud, research & technologies manager at H3 Dynamics, will outline his company’s vision for hydrogen-powered flight.
Barascud joined H3 Dynamics in 2021 as one of the first employees at the company’s Toulouse office, which was established to expand its focus from drones into wider aerospace applications. “Today, I’m leading the research and development topics within the company, especially for aerospace applications, mainly the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems as a propulsive means for aircraft and drones,” he explains.
H3 Dynamics’ roadmap is centred on incremental growth, beginning with smaller platforms before scaling up. “We started with drones because it’s easier to get to flight tests and explore different configurations,” says Barascud. “Now we’re developing the next generation of fuel cell systems. Our goal is to double power density in the next three to four years and deliver certified, compliant products by 2028–2029.”
In terms of application, he believes adoption will begin with smaller aircraft. “We think it will be easier to start with lighter high performance platforms like CS23 aircrafts,” he notes. “That’s a good way to get familiar with certification and regulations, similar to how the electric market evolved. Long term, our vision is to reach short- and medium-range aircraft with up to 100 passengers, and eventually beyond.”
What sets H3 Dynamics apart, according to Barascud, is its background. “We don’t come directly from the aerospace industry. Our roots are in hydrogen and fuel cell systems, dating back to the early 2000s,” he says. “We believe aerospace applications require dedicated systems designed from the ground up, not repurposed technology from automotive or heavy mobility. Safety, certification and qualification demand a completely different approach.”
At the show, Barascud will discuss the performance gap between current off-the-shelf systems and what aviation requires, highlight recent projects, and outline the company’s roadmap. He is particularly keen to connect with manufacturers, suppliers, and test facilities.
Ultimately, hydrogen’s role in aviation excites him for its transformative potential. “For net zero, hydrogen is the most realistic path,” he concludes. “It offers endurance benefits for drones and the potential to decarbonise larger aircraft. That’s why we are fully focused on it.”
Session: Insights into our vision of hydrogen aviation and the development of associated fuel cell systems
Date: Tuesday 30th September
Time: 3:50 PM - 4:20 PM
H3 Dynamics’ roadmap is centred on incremental growth, beginning with smaller platforms before scaling up. “We started with drones because it’s easier to get to flight tests and explore different configurations,” says Barascud. “Now we’re developing the next generation of fuel cell systems. Our goal is to double power density in the next three to four years and deliver certified, compliant products by 2028–2029.”
In terms of application, he believes adoption will begin with smaller aircraft. “We think it will be easier to start with lighter high performance platforms like CS23 aircrafts,” he notes. “That’s a good way to get familiar with certification and regulations, similar to how the electric market evolved. Long term, our vision is to reach short- and medium-range aircraft with up to 100 passengers, and eventually beyond.”
What sets H3 Dynamics apart, according to Barascud, is its background. “We don’t come directly from the aerospace industry. Our roots are in hydrogen and fuel cell systems, dating back to the early 2000s,” he says. “We believe aerospace applications require dedicated systems designed from the ground up, not repurposed technology from automotive or heavy mobility. Safety, certification and qualification demand a completely different approach.”
At the show, Barascud will discuss the performance gap between current off-the-shelf systems and what aviation requires, highlight recent projects, and outline the company’s roadmap. He is particularly keen to connect with manufacturers, suppliers, and test facilities.
Ultimately, hydrogen’s role in aviation excites him for its transformative potential. “For net zero, hydrogen is the most realistic path,” he concludes. “It offers endurance benefits for drones and the potential to decarbonise larger aircraft. That’s why we are fully focused on it.”
Session: Insights into our vision of hydrogen aviation and the development of associated fuel cell systems
Date: Tuesday 30th September
Time: 3:50 PM - 4:20 PM