It is great news that defense forces are promoting the use of
alternative fuels
in their own unique way. American army is using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
in Afghanistan. The greatest advantage of UAVs is that they are nearly
untraceable from the ground. They are used heavily by defense forces in overseas
missions when uniformed men are already at a disadvantage by just being at a
totally foreign and hostile territory. Here using UAVs, terrain can be scanned
and intelligence can be gathered. Now it is possible that these UAVs might be
flying on alternative fuels. UAVs are used to minimize loss of life of soldiers
and pilots in dangerous zones. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is developing an
improved version of these aircrafts that can travel to distant places more
efficiently and more quietly and run on the newer fuel cell technology.
Rear Admiral Nevin Carr who is the Chief of Naval Research Office explained,
“Pursuing energy efficiency and energy independence are core to ONR’s (Office of
Naval Research) Power and Energy Focus Area. 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.”
Unmanned aircrafts managed remotely or autonomously, were an essential part of
the overseas operations. UAVs acted as “eyes in the sky” for dangerous missions
minimizing loss of lives. Development of UAVs run on alternative fuels is
exhibited by Ion Tiger. Ion tiger is a UAV research program at the Naval
Research Laboratory (NRL) that combines two separate efforts UAV technology and
fuel cell systems. The Ion Tiger is utilizing a hydrogen-powered fuel cell. Few
benefits of using hydrogen-powered fuel cell are zero poisonous emissions,
lesser heat and minimum noise (military will appreciate this feature with great
relief). UAV can carry heavier loads and travel farther.
.jpg)
