The U.S. Army Operational Test
Command has partnered with the German Federal
Defense Force, Bundeswehr, in an international
cooperative program to share data on the testing of
a 250-watt alternate power source fuel cell, FC-250,
that could save the Army nearly $400,000 in costs.
The FC-250, produced by Smart Fuel Cell, has been
made more durable for Army use to support OTC tests
by providing a robust, reliable, compact and
lightweight power source for data-acquisition
systems.
“The program strives to assist the Army by providing
continuous and efficient power supply to testing
systems,” said Henry Merhoff, OTC senior
technologist and program manager. “Our international
partnership will allow OTC to receive double the
test data needed to focus on the application of test
instrumentation.”
While batteries need to be replaced at least daily
in an industrial application, the FC-250 provides up
to 100 hours with one 7.4 gallon cartridge, which
can be easily replaced by test support personnel.
The German Special Forces are concerned with the
weight of the battery currently used, according to
Peter Helbig, program manager for fuel cell
development for the Bundeswehr Technical Center.
“The German Special Forces would
like to use the 250-watt fuel cell started by OTC to
gain a wider range of information for applications
using battery chargers and auxiliary power units,”
Helbig said. “We also have a 25-watt fuel cell being
tested for use by dismounted Soldiers.”
The FC-250 system is a stand-alone, lightweight
power supply made to perform in highly demanding
Army test environments. The system is designed to be
easily carried by two people, while providing
sufficient power to operate the OTC data acquisition
suite used to collect data during operational tests
of advanced Army systems.
“Life cycle costs of fuel cells are one-half those
of batteries for long duration scenarios,” Merhoff
said. “OTC will save approximately $400,000 per year
using 60 fuel cells.”
OTC recently purchased 18 65-watt fuel cells for use
at Fort Bliss to provide battery power 24
hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, to video cameras for
testing and training of the Future Combat System
brigade team, according to Merhoff.
OTC, a subordinate command of the Army Test and
Evaluation Command, Alexandria, Va., is the Army’s
only independent operational tester. Mandated by
federal law, OTC tests and assesses systems,
equipment and technology using typical Soldiers to
determine their effectiveness, suitability and
survivability in varying environments.
Comprised of nine test directorates, a
transformation technology directorate, a methodology
and analysis directorate, and several supporting
staff directorates and offices, OTC headquarters and
five test directorates are located at West Fort
Hood, with four forward test directorates located at
Fort Bragg, N.C., Fort Bliss, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.,
and Fort Sill, Okla.