Systems and methods for propulsion

A system, comprising:

• one or more motor assemblies for driving at least one shaft or rotor of a vehicle, wherein the one or more motor assemblies comprise one or more motor windings and one or more magnets;
• one or more fuel cells in fluid communication with the one or more motor assemblies, wherein the one or more fuel cells are configured to generate direct current electrical energy from a fuel that is directed through a portion of the one or more motor assemblies to (i) cool the one or more motor windings and the one or more magnets and (ii) and heat the fuel before the fuel enters the one or more fuel cells;
• a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the one or more fuel cells, wherein the combustion chamber is configured to combust an exhaust flow from the one or more fuel cells to react unused hydrogen exhausted from the one or more fuel cells;
• and
• one or more cooling fins in thermal communication with the one or more motor assemblies and exhaust air to allow a transfer of thermal energy produced by the one or more fuel cells or the one or more motor assemblies to the exhaust air to provide thermal energy and to accelerate the exhaust air.