ION Tiger Fuel Cell Powered UAV
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Tuesday, 7 of April , 2009 at 5:21 am
Despite their many advantages, fuel cells (which are powered by hydrogen) may not yet be ready for mainstream consumption, due (among other things) to the noticeable lack of a hydrogen distribution system. But if you’re the navy, who cares? The ION Tiger UAV is powered by a 500 watt fuel cell generator, which besides being good for the environment (which as we all know is the primary focus of our armed forces) has a high power density in a small package and is practically silent. It also doesn’t produce a lot of heat, meaning that the ION Tiger doesn’t show up as readily on infrared. This spring, the ION Tiger is slated to make a 24 hour endurance flight with a 5 pound payload, something that “nobody can do right now.” I’m not exactly sure what ONR means when they say that no other UAVs have that capability, since Global Hawks are able to stay aloft for up to 30 hours. ‘Course, they cost like $35 million, too.
Anyway, ONR wants to take this technology and do what they always do: make it smaller, cheaper, and more powerful. Will we see any of this technology trickle down into something that would be able to power something I can use? Maybe, maybe… Unless private industry beats ONR to the punch.
[ ONR ION Tiger ]
Comments (15)
Category: Eco-Friendly,Military
- Add this post to
- Del.icio.us -
- Digg
Comment by NS Rana
Made Tuesday, 7 of July , 2009 at 9:56 pm
It is just great !!!
Why the Landing gear is not provissioned ?
How the designers will always make sure that the prop will not touch the ground ?
Comment by ralph
Made Thursday, 28 of January , 2010 at 11:51 am
Fuel cell technology is moving ahead and will get cheaper for the rest of us.
Comment by Lindsay
Made Monday, 8 of February , 2010 at 8:09 am
Wow 500w is only a little bit bigger than the power draw of an electric bicycle. How long can one fly and is there an upscale larger one planned?
Comment by Assisted Living
Made Tuesday, 13 of July , 2010 at 7:03 am
Simply amazing tech.
Comment by Sabine Schreiber
Made Tuesday, 14 of September , 2010 at 6:27 am
This is such a wonderful post on this subject. I do agree totally. Please keep posting. I just love technology.
Comment by Heart Bracelet :
Made Sunday, 31 of October , 2010 at 1:08 am
Assisted living residences or assisted living facilities (ALFs) provide supervision or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs); coordination of services by outside health care providers “
Comment by trojan horse
Made Wednesday, 17 of November , 2010 at 11:31 pm
frightening insights dude after reading this I am going to hide under my bed thanks
Comment by Data Processing
Made Monday, 10 of January , 2011 at 12:00 am
Data is one of the most important resources for any business. The data you have may not necessarily in the format you need. And your business may depend on data from various sources that cannot provide it in a standard, usable format. For these and similar cases, we provide Data Processing and Data Conversion services and jobs that offer a variety of solutions to get data from one format into another.
And the most inserting thing that we are providing Data Processing services and Data Conversion Services to you that can save you 60 to 70 percent cost.
● Form Processing
● Image Processing
● Insurance Claim Processing
● Survey Processing
● Check Processing
● Credit Card Processing
Comment by megavnn
Made Monday, 24 of January , 2011 at 3:01 am
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Comment by epon
Made Sunday, 3 of April , 2011 at 7:58 pm
I am looking for this fuel cell, where I can get it.
Comment by gutter cleaning services
Made Saturday, 19 of November , 2011 at 12:56 am
Good post i was looking forit I can see that you’re a professional at the field! I’m launching a web site soon & your information will be very ideal for me Thanks for your help & wish all of you the success in your business.
Comment by Sherman Kately
Made Wednesday, 30 of November , 2011 at 8:20 am
Excelent info my friend!!, keep it comming!
Comment by silvio waisbord
Made Saturday, 3 of December , 2011 at 1:24 am
Thank you for your thoughtful post!
Comment by Hermila Longhurst
Made Wednesday, 7 of December , 2011 at 1:06 pm
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
Comment by how to change your life
Made Thursday, 15 of December , 2011 at 8:36 pm
Hey good blog!!! Man .. Beautiful .. Incredible .. I will bookmark your site and consider the feeds also great article thanks Hi. I needed by way of thanking you for your fantastic information you’ve got posted in your site. I’ll definitelycome returning to take a look once again and also have subscribedto your RSS feed. Have a fantastic day.
