Supporting next-gen propulsion

The need for advanced computational and communication systems on board military aircraft make fuel cells an attractive propulsion alternative, and ample access to hydrogen a necessity.

Fuel-cell power systems are conceptually more attractive than combustion-based systems for the generation of electricity due to higher efficiencies, fewer emissions, and less maintenance. There are efforts to incorporate fuel-cell power systems as auxiliary power for the increased electrical demands on both commercial and military aircraft as well as for UAVs and other applications. However, direct inclusion of these power systems into an aircraft can be extremely difficult due to requirements that each aircraft may have, and how the auxiliary power system will affect the performance of the aircraft.

To gain the information needed to afford the adoption of fuel-cell power systems into onboard aircraft systems, alternate applications must be considered that do not have difficult requirements such as power density. Researchers from Nu Element, Boeing Phantom Works, and NAVAIR have identified the ground cart as a potential intermediate target for the incorporation of fuel cells into the aviation market.