Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Completes Record 23-Hour Flight Using Protonex Fuel Cell System
October 15 2009 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Protonex Technology Corporation (LSE: AIM: PTX and PTXU), a
leading provider of advanced fuel cell power systems, today
announced that the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), through a
program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), has
documented a flight endurance record on their small, unmanned
aerial vehicle (UAV), the Ion Tiger, utilizing a highly advanced
fuel cell system from Protonex. The Ion Tiger UAV flew for over 23
hours, setting an unofficial endurance record for fuel cell powered
flight, driven by the latest generation of Protonex’ UAV power
system.
The 23+ hour duration of the Ion Tiger flight far surpasses the
longest previous small UAV flight achieved using any technology. By
incorporating the Protonex power system, the Ion Tiger was able to
demonstrate seven times the endurance capability of advanced
batteries. The Protonex UAV system that was used in the Ion Tiger
demonstration is a high performance, ultralight proton exchange
membrane [PEM] fuel cell system, coupling stack technology that can
achieve 1,000 watts per kilogram with advanced balance of plant
components.
With the successful completion of this major milestone, Protonex
is planning to continue transitioning this advanced power source
into small UAV products with specific payloads and mission
requirements for both military and commercial applications. The
endurance capabilities proven in this program were previously
achievable only with larger scale, more costly UAVs. Protonex is
now confident that new critical missions can be achieved by
smaller, more cost-effective UAV platforms that incorporate its
advanced power systems.
“This impressive 23-hour record flight milestone represents yet
another successful collaboration with the NRL and is a culmination
of all of our combined efforts to date,” stated Dr. Paul Osenar,
Chief Technology Officer, Protonex. “We share the ONR’s vision
towards bringing quiet electric propulsion and long endurance to today’s small UAVs
and to extend the capability to the warfighter.”
Notes to Editors
About Protonex Technology
Corporationwww.protonex.comProtonex 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, commercial and consumer
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 headquartered in Southborough,
Massachusetts.
This announcement includes statements which are, or may be
deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". All statements other
than statements of historical facts included in this announcement,
including, without limitation, those regarding Protonex’ financial
position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for
future operations (including development plans and objectives
relating to Protonex’ products and services) are forward-looking
statements. By their nature, such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important
factors that could cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of Protonex to be materially different from future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not
limited to those described in the Admission Document issued in
connection with the Company’s admission to AIM.
Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially
from actual results. Any forward-looking statements in this
announcement speak only as at the date of this announcement and are
subject to risks relating to future events and other risks,
uncertainties and assumptions relation to Protonex’ operations,
results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity.
Protonex (LSE:PTXU)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
Protonex (LSE:PTXU)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024