Fuel Cell Powered Multi-Use Tactical Vehicle with Distributed Power

There is a currently a growing need from the Air Force to replace multiple large scale vehicles with hybrids that can significantly reduce their logistical footprint. A combined MB-4 aircraft tow tractor/-86 GENSET hybrid vehicle is therefore greatly desired to reduce logistics in air base operations. Furthermore, there is a major concern regarding vehicle operation on military bases, namely, fuel consumption and urban pollution. To address this concern, the department of defense (DoD) has commissioned the design of hybrid-electric vehicles to reduce diesel consumption and emissions. This shift from diesel to electric power is part of a greater program within the DoD to phase in hydrogen-based (fuel cell) power generation over the next 15 years. Lynntech Inc.'s patented bipolar proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology is ideally suited for high efficiency, power generation. Lynntech's fuel cells have been recognized by NASA and the aerospace industry for their high power density and specific power. The overall goal of this project is the design, fabrication, integration, testing, and delivery of one 100 kW fuel cell stack for use as the primary power source in an all electric, Air Force MB-4 tow tractor/GENSET.