US – Naval Research Hydrogen Tech Goes Tactical
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has prototyped a Hydrogen Small Unit Power (H-SUP) system to scale back detectability and enhance readiness of Marine Corps in expeditionary warfare operations.
NRL’s H-SUP is a conveyable gasoline cell electrical generator with larger power per weight than batteries and decrease audible and thermal signatures than combustion turbines.
NRL Principal Investigator Kevin Cronin, mentioned:
This is greater than an influence system. It’s a functionality that helps distributed operations and extends mission vary. That’s strategic worth,
“At NRL, we champion long-term modernization while working hand in glove with end-users across the services. Our investment today with the Marines in low-signature power intends to shape the future of how Marines fight – more independently, more efficiently, and with less logistical burden.”
The use of hydrogen in key purposes can result in elevated electrical effectivity and power density, elevated operational vary, decreased thermal and audible signature, and decreased upkeep necessities; in the end growing lethality of the drive and lowering logistical sustainment necessities.
Capt. Joshua Ashley, U.S. Marine Corps, Expeditionary Energy Office (E2O) Science and Technology Analyst, mentioned:
Warfighter suggestions is a important part of the know-how improvement course of and shall be used to tell requirement definition and future analysis and improvement actions,
“The E2O serves as the link between the warfighter and the lab, providing feedback to refine the system and accelerate acquisition.”
The Marine Corps established the E2O to conduct analysis and improvement in applied sciences, which might be the distinction between mission success and failure, whereas decreasing power consumption with the objective of accelerating attain, persistence, and lethality. E2O works intently with the fight and know-how improvement communities and serves because the proponent for Expeditionary Energy within the drive improvement course of.
Ashley, mentioned:
H-SUP isn’t simply progressive – it will increase lethality by conserving us powered and exhausting to seek out,
“We ensure this technology meets the needs of Marines on the ground – quiet, efficient, and reliable power that supports expeditionary operations.”
By evaluating H-SUP in operational situations, the workforce is decreasing threat and accelerating necessities improvement of know-how that will increase endurance and improves the autonomy of small models.
H-SUP was subject examined at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in July 2022, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in February 2025, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows in March 2025, an Army occasion at Fort Polk with the a hundred and first Airborne in May 2025, and most just lately at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in May 2025.
Cronin, mentioned:
Our mission at NRL is to advance science that solves as we speak’s issues whereas anticipating tomorrow’s threats,
“Hydrogen fuel cells fit both categories.”
NRL and E2O are translating suggestions from Marines to refine the system for usability, survivability, and integration. This results in adoption, not simply prototypes.
Cronin, mentioned:
My function at NRL is to show superior science into operational functionality,
“We built H-SUP not just to work in the lab, but to serve Marines in the field. Through collaboration with partners and direct feedback from users, we’re pushing this from prototype to practical.”
The gasoline cell system in H-SUP was initially developed to be used in unmanned autos. The excessive particular power content material of hydrogen permits elevated vary and endurance for these methods. This has been demonstrated within the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s H2 Stalker program, the place this similar gasoline cell was built-in into the Stalker VXE30.
H2 Stalker supplies larger mixed energy and power to weight than alternate Stalker VXE30 configurations, enabling improved vary, endurance, and sprint metrics in comparison with the baseline VXE30. H2 Stalker efficiently accomplished a number of flight checks and demonstrations in varied environmental situations.
Cronin, mentioned:
We’re pushing know-how into the arms of warfighters by way of actual partnerships with trade and acquisition instructions,
“In addition, the fuel cell in the H-SUP can also be used to power unmanned aerial vehicles to extend mission endurance. Lastly, fuel cells can support multiple aspects of the U.S. Marine Corps concept of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations.”
NRL has developed gasoline cell know-how and the H-SUP system with sponsorship from the Office of Naval Research, Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Science and Technology Program, Naval Air Systems Command, and the USMC E2O; along with collaboration with trade companions, Northwest UAV and Noble Gas Systems.
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