The US Naval Analysis Laboratory (NRL) has taken hydrogen tactical by adapting hydrogen gasoline cell expertise for US Marine Corps subject models to switch the heavy batteries and turbines now utilized by troopers to supply electrical energy.
Napoleon mentioned that a military travels on its abdomen. Within the twenty first century, it is extra correct to say that it travels on its batteries. With troopers relying increasingly on private radios, pc networks, sensors, night-vision goggles, FLIR scopes, superior rifle focusing on scopes and portable drones, they’re additionally more and more lumbered with bandoliers of batteries or lugging turbines and jerry cans of gasoline throughout the hated remaining mile of tough terrain.
Small surprise so many troopers on patrol are inclined to “lose” batteries with such regularity.
To assist alleviate this, the NRL is adapting and subject testing hydrogen gasoline cell expertise initially designed for powering small UAVs. Known as the Hydrogen Small Unit Energy (H-SUP) system, it is meant to supply the identical weight financial savings to Marines because it does to unpiloted plane.
NRL
Which will appear a little bit of a bounce, however UAVs undergo from restricted vary and endurance – particularly if they’re electrical powered. As a result of batteries are heavy, weight stays a significant factor even in hybrid electrical programs. The identical is true for Marines slogging over tough nation on foot.
On this case, the H-SUP system is much like the one developed for the hydrogen-powered H2 Stalker program, besides that it has been ruggedized and repackaged right into a set of waterproof plastic lockers that embrace the gasoline cell, inverter, hydrogen storage, and a charging station for varied gadgets.
Claimed to be extra vitality dense and due to this fact lighter than batteries or a traditional generator, the H-SUP has an influence output of as much as 1.2 kW. It is also extra environment friendly, quieter, and has a decrease warmth signature as a result of it really works by an electrochemical response as a substitute of combustion and has a built-in ethylene glycol-based coolant system, making it harder for an enemy to detect. Having fewer shifting components than a generator, it is also simpler to take care of with a score of 5,000 hours of operation.
Its modular development additionally signifies that it is simple to switch for particular missions and it may be hooked right into a automobile’s electrical system.
The H-SUP was subject examined at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in July 2022, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in February 2025, and Marine Corps Coaching Space Bellows in March 2025. As well as, it was examined by the US Military at Fort Polk with the a hundred and first Airborne in Might 2025. The outcomes of those exams are getting used to enhance the system.
NRL
“Warfighter suggestions is a vital element of the expertise growth course of and might be used to tell requirement definition and future analysis and growth actions,” mentioned Captain Joshua Ashley, U.S. Marine Corps, Expeditionary Power Workplace (E2O) Science and Expertise Analyst. “The E2O serves because the hyperlink between the warfighter and the lab, offering suggestions to refine the system and speed up acquisition.
“H-SUP isn’t simply progressive – it will increase lethality by holding us powered and laborious to seek out. We guarantee this expertise meets the wants of Marines on the bottom – quiet, environment friendly, and dependable energy that helps expeditionary operations.”
Supply: NRL
