The US Department of Defense is testing hydrogen fuel cells that have the potential to significantly increase the autonomy of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and minimize their dependence on shore infrastructure and mother ships. The project was launched in August 2023, and the tests are scheduled to begin in early 2024.
The US Department of Defense is testing hydrogen fuel cells that have the potential to significantly increase the autonomy of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and minimize their dependence on shore infrastructure and mother ships. The project was launched in August 2023, and the tests are scheduled to begin in early 2024.
The American company Hibbard Inshore has prepared a hybrid version of the Saab Sabertooth - the AUV received the Subsea Supercharger system developed by Teledyne Energy Systems. It is expected that the implementation of fuel cells will increase the autonomy and range of the system, minimize the need for support ships and cut operation costs.
The deployment of hydrogen fuel cells - enhanced AUVs is complicated by a number of issues related to the need to store hydrogen and oxygen, provide buoyancy and trim in deep-water environments. The condensate formed during the operation of fuel cells in a sealed container can easily damage electronics, and the generated inert gases increase internal pressure. Most problems occur during system startup and shutdown - the moments when gases need to be removed from the anode and cathode loops. A trivial task, long solved on land, requires fundamentally new approaches for implementation in the underwater environment, and most importantly - in the enclosed environment of AUVs.
The integration of hydrogen fuel cells into AUVs promises significant expansion of their capabilities and numerous new areas for their potential application.
Source: naval-technology.com
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