Honeywell has secured a contract from General Technical Services to create a hydrogen fuel cell system.
The technology is primed to power electronic devices carried by foot soldiers. This lightweight fuel cell system is estimated to deliver power equivalent to that offered by conventional batteries.
Honeywell aims to minimize the burden of carrying multiple hefty batteries, which is a hurdle in swift mobility. This lightweight technology will allow the soldiers to carry out their missions effectively.
The trend towards light yet powerful energy sources has influenced Honeywell’s hydrogen fuel cell system. Phil Robinson, senior engineering director at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, indicates that current foot soldiers often carry up to 45 pounds of batteries on extended missions to power various electronic devices such as radios, computers, and sensors.
Reducing this weight by developing a reliable, proven Hydrogen fuel cell system integrated with a soldier’s power management and distribution system signifies promising advancement in military technology.
The system’s key aspect is that it’s not stationary; it can charge batteries and power equipment even while being mobile on the battlefield. The design complements the standard electronic devices used by U.S. soldiers, which furthers its compatibility on the field. The burden of carrying extra batteries is further reduced, as the system can charge on the go, providing extended operational life.
Honeywell’s prototypes leverage its Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell technology, which finds applications in unmanned aerial systems, both for commercial and defense sectors.
