Even military spy vehicles are going green. Unmanned aerial vehicles, used by the military to scan the terrain for “possible threats and intelligence”, have long relied on fossil fuels to fly – but now, hydrogen-powered fuel cells are gaining popularity as an alternative. What it comes down to for the Office of Naval Research, which is sponsoring the ‘Ion Tiger’ program, is making them more efficient- and quieter.
From Science Daily:
In particular, the Ion Tiger UAV tests a hydrogen-powered fuel cell design, which can travel farther and carry heavier payloads than earlier battery-powered designs. Ion Tiger employs stealthy characteristics due to its small size, reduced noise, low heat signature and zero emissions.
“Pursuing energy efficiency and energy independence are core to ONR’s Power and Energy Focus Area,” said Rear Admiral Nevin Carr, Chief of Naval Research. “ONR’s investments in alternative energy sources, like fuel cell research, have application to the Navy and Marine Corps mission in future UAVs and vehicles. These investments also contribute directly to solving some of the same technology challenges faced at the national level.”
“In this size range, we are hopefully able to conduct very productive surveillance missions at low cost with a relatively small vehicle, and a high-quality electric payload,” says NRL Principal Investigator Dr. Karen Swider-Lyons.
It’s nice to know that the government is cutting back on emissions while training its all-seeing eye upon the land, eh? Now they can say it’s for our own security and that it’s green. It’s for our own good. It’s making us safe. One nation under CCTV… Big Brother is watching. Look busy!
Link [Science Daily]
