Modern technology has been embraced by the Department of Defense (DoD) as a resource to enhance the offensive and defensive capabilities of the military services. This is an important factor as our relatively small military forces are deployed both in combat, hostile environments, peacekeeping, and continued training scenarios far beyond that envisioned when the military was reduced in size by 40% in the 1990s. The focus of this technical/market report is on the ground forces and how fuel cells will be employed within a 5-year horizon and into the future. It also identifies the early market opportunities for fuel cells in military applications.

This document looks at the technological evolution and advances for military applications requiring primary, supplementary and backup power. It addresses applications for stationary, mobile, and portable power requirements, and includes existing and projected uses and markets for fuel cells d advanced batteries within the military. It is intended as an update and supplement to the Business Communications Co., Inc. (www.buscom.com) much longer report GB-248 Advanced Military Batteries for the Digital Battlefield: A Technology Challenge. This is an abbreviated report and the reader desiring additional information on aspects of military standards, environmental issues, or little used military unique batteries will find that information in the other BCC, Inc. document. There are also related publications mentioned at the end of this introduction.

A principal objective is to identify what is the trends that are likely and appropriate for the use of fuel cells for large stationary power needs, mobile power, and small-scale power needs. Fuel cells are expected to be deployed for some military power needs by 2006. Advanced batteries and generators for mobile electric power will continue to have a role. These electrochemical devices have the potential to offer agility, stability, and efficient power to replace traditional hydrocarbon combustion-driven platforms and battery-powered systems. The market for military fuel cells is poised to take off in the 5 to 10 years, but the opportunities are balanced by a number of barriers that must be overcome before military fuel cells can sustain the anticipated multi-billion dollar markets anticipated by mid-21st century forces.

It is important to understand how the military will move toward the use of high technology stationary, mobile, or portable power systems. Many different governmental organizations are involved in shaping the broad future of advanced power sources in the military. The present demonstration and funding programs are part of the enabling force for fuel cell and advanced battery application developments, but there are other factors as well. Consideration must be given to the present power requirements and their deficiencies. Identifying the hurdles to be overcome in moving fuel cells into the military is a factor that must be recognized.

Some advanced power systems need only be cost effective, others must be robust enough for combat situations, and other systems may soon be an effective replacement and utilized in secure or homeland sectors. Commercial off-the-shelf (COFT) military acquisition programs seem likely as the technology emerges, at least for peacetime or stable deployed environments. There are potential benefits as well as potential barriers to the use of fuel cells by the military.

This technical market report is intended to provide a unique analysis of the fuel cell technology potential in the U.S. military. It should be of special interest to those responsible for making key technology investment decisions within their organization. Any organization involved in developing or assembling or hoping to deploy next-generation military platforms and systems requiring stationary, mobile or portable power will find this study valuable. This study provides technology and use potential applications through the year 2008.

The military continues to seek more cost effective, reliable, and robust power sources for its applications. A more detailed look is given to the stationary, mobile electric power, transportation and portable applications of the ground forces because that is where there is the most perceived need. There are substantial Navy and Air Force requirements as well.

An in-depth analysis of military sources, Department of Defense (DoD), and related technical and business literature and published dissertations, combined with a review of the history of the technologies involved, interviews with industry experts, federal government researchers, and contractors provided an assessment of the outlook, the progress and the deployment of fuel cells in the United States military. Other information sources include product literature from suppliers, scientific references, conferences, and patent searches.

The report makes projections for market sectors in terms of constant dollars representing real growth. Historical values are presented for the given year. The market analyzed is for the United States.