Protonex Receives Additional Funding to Advance UAV Power Systems
July 10, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
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Protonex Technology Corp. received an $800,000 extension to a previously awarded contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to optimize performance of its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) propulsion system, ProCore UAV.
The advanced version of the system is expected to enable longer flight times and increased payload capability of small unmanned aircraft, said Protonex.
Under this extended program, Protonex will increase the power density of the ProCore UAV fuel cell system.
In addition, Protonex will work with subcontractor Millennium Cell Inc. to advance the chemical hydride fueling subsystem to increase energy density.
These improvements to power and energy density have the potential to deliver fuel cell power systems that can offer up to four times the available energy of batteries of the same size and weight, according to Protonex.
Recently, Protonex and UAV manufacturer AeroVironment (AV) successfully flew the AV Puma small unmanned aircraft for nearly five hours powered by a ProCore UAV hybridized with a battery.
With the anticipated improvements to the ProCore UAV system, Protonex said it expects to achieve flight times of up to 10 hours. This capability will address the growing segment of UAVs designed for surveillance, search and rescue, chemical-biological monitoring and other long-endurance specialty missions.
"Increased endurance and payload capacity are critical capabilities that are not feasible with current battery technology being used in small unmanned aerial vehicles today," said Dr. Paul Osenar, chief technology officer, Protonex.
Source: Protonex Technology Corp.