SFC
Smart
Fuel Cell receives US Air Force order to
develop Advanced Airmen Power Supply System
Brunnthal, Germany, May 22, 2006 - SFC Smart
Fuel Cell, technology and market leader in fuel
cells for powering mobile and portable
applications, has again been selected for
providing a
fuel cell based power solution to an
important military program. In the context of a
US Air Force order, SFC is to develop a
Fuel Cell
based Lightweight Portable Power System for
Battlefield Airmen within the next ten
months. The value of the development order
amounts to US$ 500,000.
SFC has won this tender based on successful
completion of the US Air Force Spiral I task to
develop a lightweight high efficiency power
manager in DT/OT analysis. A further reason for
adoption of SFC technology in the US Air Force
project is the AFRL proven excellent energy
efficiency of the system, based on the use of
inexpensive but high energy density methanol. As
a consequence, SFC has now been awarded the task
to create an
advanced
power supply system for Airmen for the US
Air Force. The power system will consist of
three components: an advanced version of SFC’s
successful lightweight FCPS soldier portable
fuel cell, custom engineered to US Air Force
specifications, SFC’s high efficiency Power
Manager, and an innovative Harris PRC 117
interface.
“We are excited to work with SFC. They have
demonstrated an ability to design a solution for
our rigorous needs and have continued to show
increased reliability of lightweight fuel cells
and power electronics. We chose SFC for this
contract because of their advanced knowledge and
experience with pushing
fuel cell products into the market and for
their ability to respond quickly to our needs.
Their products have demonstrated the high energy
densities and technical maturity that is
necessary to meet the increasing energy demands
by our airmen on the ground”, says Lt. Josh J.,
USAF, Contract Manager.
“We are very proud to have been awarded this
order by the US Air Force due to the high
functionality, reliability, and maturity of our
products. The
US Air
Force is a great partner to work with and we
appreciate the fast speed with which they
consistently integrate innovative technologies
like our fuel cells into their programs and
actually field them”, says Christian B., SFC
Program Manager.
The US Air Force development order for SFC is
the latest in a row of development projects with
important military organizations in Germany, the
US, and several
NATO
countries. Based on their proven high
Technical Readiness Level (TRL), SFC fuel cells
are fast becoming the gold standard for soldier
portable fuel cell power systems. They form the
basis on which SFC, in cooperation with a Human
Factor specialist, has
developed
and produced turnkey, ready to field power
solutions for easy integration into existing
and future military programs. This high system
integration competence is making SFC the partner
of choice for reliable portable power solutions
in military environ-ments.
