Eco Factor: Unmanned aerial system powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) used for military purposes have to be quiet and emit a low heat signature if they’ve to protect themselves from the enemy. The requirements can be answered by using an electric engine, but it also lowers the operation time and limits the payload capacity of the UAS. The Naval Research Laboratory has succeeded in developing a UAS that has a decent operating time, payload capacity and has a low acoustic signature.
The XFC (eXperimental Fuel Cell) system was successfully tested by NRL after it remained airborne for over 6 hours. The issues were addressed by NRL and Protonex Technology Corporation by developing a hydrogen fuel cell system that delivers more power for more operating range, endurance and increases payload capacity.
The XFC is a folding wind, expendable UAS that has a small footprint and can be launched from a standard lightweight rail launcher. In its final form, the system will be able to self-launch from a folded configuration with a loiter speed of 30 knots and a dash speed of 52 knots.
Via: NRL
