OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH (March 5, 2009) The U.S. Navy is converging two separate research efforts â unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and fuel cell systems â to significantly improve battlefield surveillance capability. The Ion Tiger is a hydrogenpowered fuel cell UAV in development at the Naval Research Laboratory, the corporate laboratory of the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Previously flown with battery power, it has demonstrated sound aerodynamics, high functionality, and low-heat and noise signatures. When the final test flight of Ion Tiger lifts off, it will demonstrate how an enduring surveillance solution can operate at a low cost with less possibility of detection. The trial is expected to exceed previous flights seven-fold, from a duration of over three hours to 24 hours, while carrying a payload of 5 lbs. (U.S. Navy video/Released)
