Advanced Unmanned Ground Vehicle Demonstrates Record Mission Duration Using Protonex Fuel Cell System Technology
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April 21, 2009
DATELINE: SOUTHBOROUGH, MA; Protonex Technology Corporation (LSE: AIM: PTX and PTXU), a leading provider of advanced fuel cell power systems for portable, remote and mobile applications, today announces that Foster-Miller, Inc. (a QinetiQ company), has successfully demonstrated record unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) endurance capabilities by integrating a Protonex fuel cell power system into a Foster-Miller TALON robotic UGV. The TALON robot, with a hybridised fuel cell-battery power system from Protonex, demonstrated three times the operational mission range and twice the energy density of its existing advanced battery systems. The demonstration was conducted as a part of the OSD- sponsored Next Generation Manufacturing Technologies Initiative (NGMTI), led by the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) in Charleston, South Carolina.
As part of the NGMTI program, funded through the Defense Logistics Agency and managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Protonex developed and integrated an advanced fuel cell power platform with battery hybridisation into the existing battery bay of the TALON robot. The hybrid fuel cell power system delivered approximately 200 watts of continuous power and also met all peak power demands of the TALON robot. Protonex combined the high power density of its advanced fuel cell systems with a high energy density chemical hydride fuel to significantly extend the duration and mission capabilities of the existing TALON UGV robotics platform. Based on performance data from Foster- Miller, the Protonex fuel cell platform allowed the TALON robot to increase its mission range from 15 km to 45 km. This extremely successful demonstration was the first integration of a hybrid fuel cell-battery platform into a Foster-Miller TALON robot.
This program initiative builds on related efforts by Protonex on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and further demonstrates the Company's ability to deliver extended mission times, thus enabling expanded mission capabilities for UGVs including persistent surveillance and border patrol.
Commenting on the news, Dr. Paul Osenar, Chief Technology Officer for Protonex Technology Corporation said: "The record mission time demonstrated through this program represents another important milestone for Protonex and further validates the range of vehicles into which our high performance power sources can effectively be integrated. Based on the success of this UGV program and our ongoing success with UAVs, Protonex expects more significant opportunities for our fuel cell platforms in small vehicles used in a variety of military and commercial applications."
Enquiries
Protonex Technology Corporation
Tel: +1 508 490 9960
Scott Pearson,
Chief Executive Officer
Margaret Dorsheimer,
Director of Marketing
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Tel: +44 (0)20 3142 8700
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Notes to Editors
About Protonex Technology Corporation
www.protonex.com
Protonex Technology Corporation develops and manufactures compact, lightweight and high- performance fuel cell systems for portable power applications in the 100 to 1000-watt range. The Company's fuel cell systems are designed to meet the needs of military and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers for off-grid applications underserved by existing technologies by providing customizable, stand-alone portable power solutions and systems that may be hybridized with existing power technologies. The Company is based in Southborough, Massachusetts.
About Foster-Miller, Inc. (QinetiQ North America Technology Solutions Group)
foster-miller.com
QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group includes the businesses of Foster-Miller, Inc. and its subsidiaries Planning Systems Incorporated (PSI), Automatika and Applied Perception plus the research and development activities of Apogen Technologies, Inc. It is a technology and product development business with an international reputation for delivering innovative products and systems that perform under the most demanding conditions.
About NGMTI
www.ngmti.com
The Next Generation Manufacturing Technology Initiative program, (NGMTI) is a consortium managed by the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) in Charleston, South Carolina. The purpose of the NGMTI is to accelerate the development and implementation of advanced breakthrough manufacturing technologies in support of the warfighter, and the global economic competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing. NGMTI launches collaborative project teams consisting of subject matter experts from industry, government, academia, and associations in support of its purpose.
Protonex Technology Corporation
153 Northboro Road
Southborough
MA 01772-1034
