Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Could the next tanks have fuel-cell technology from a Chevy truck?

General Motors and U.S. Army tank researchers  will show off a  Chevrolet Colorado-based fuel-cell electric vehicle in October in Washington, D.C.
Army officials, based at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, known as TARDEC, in Warren, will use the vehicle to demonstrate fuel-cell electric propulsion and power generation systems that can bring the military quieter mobility, exportable power generation, low-end torque and water generation.
"Hydrogen fuel cells as a power source have the potential to bring to the force incredibly valuable capabilities,” said TARDEC Director Paul Rogers. “We expect the vehicle to be quiet in operation and ready to provide electricity generation for needs away from the vehicle.”
Hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen efficiently into electricity, resulting in vehicles with greater range and endurance than those powered with batteries.
The Army intends to conduct user assessments and demonstrations in 2017, in line  with the Department of Defense’s desire to leverage commercial innovation in its next-generation technologies.  more