The US Navy''s Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has completed a successful flight test of a fuel cell-powered drone.
The XFC (eXperimental Fuel Cell) unmanned aerial system (UAS) was airborne for more than six hours in early June, although the miliary has only just released the information.
The flying robot is the first long endurance fuel-cell powered drone in the Navy's arsenal.
Powered by hydrogen gas, not American 'gas'
Compared to internal-combustion powered vehicles, battery-powered drones are inherently stealthy because they're relatively free of noise and lack a strong thermal signature. They're also easy to start, operate and maintain. However, they have poor payload capacity and endurance.
Cue the XFC, whose hydrogen fuel cell greatly extends endurance and allows the drone to carry a heavier payload. The non-hybridised power plant allows the drone to stay aloft for seven hours, travelling at up to 52 knots (60mph), all while carrying surveillance equipment or laser-guided bombs.
In May, US Energy Secretary Steven Chu said that fuel cells for consumer automobiles would be impractical for the next 10 to 20 years, and announced that the US government would not be funding any further research in that direction.
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m185874
August 7th 2009
2. Oh great. Just what the world needs. The American military is dangerous enough to its allies when there are US servicemen in the theatre. When they're sitting safely at home thousands of miles away I shudder to think how many "blue-on-blue" incidents we're going to have to put up with. These guys are amateurs of the first order and vastly under-qualified to have the shiny toys they already have!
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pritchard92
August 7th 2009
1. Hmm. I really hope Steven Chu takes that back. Surely after seeing this success, Chu has realise that fuel-cell powered transport is possible, and has it's advantages. I really wish that some big world name would stop moaning about climate change, and instead, DO something huge to try to combat it. Yes, talks are important, but if no action is taken, whats the point?
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