GM and the US Navy are investigating the installation of hydrogen fuel-cell technology into undersea drones. The plans reflect General Motors’s move to broaden its customer base for fuel cell systems outside of autos in a bid to recoup some of the intense R&D investments required by the technology. The auto giant is also working with the US Army on battlefield deployment of fuel-cell tech to provide stealthy electrical supply over an extended period. Interestingly, because the fuel cells only emit water, it is also suggested that soldiers could drink from them in the field if necessary. A General Motors spokesman stated that while the company could not comment on the business case because these projects are in their infancy, it is confident the fuel cells could meet the power needs of various industrial segments given their modular, scalable nature.
General Motors and the US Navy are investigating the installation of hydrogen fuel-cell technology into undersea drones. The plans reflect GM’s move to broaden its customer base for fuel cell systems outside of autos in a bid to recoup some of the intense R&D investments required by the technology. The auto giant is also working with the US Army on battlefield deployment of fuel-cell tech to provide stealthy electrical supply over an extended period. Interestingly, because the fuel cells only emit water, it is also suggested that soldiers could drink from them in the field if necessary. A GM spokesman stated that while the company could not comment on the business case because these projects are in their infancy, it is confident the fuel cells could meet the power needs of various industrial segments given their modular, scalable nature.