Protonex, Raytheon to test portable fuel cells

Southborough, Mass.-based Protonex Technology said today that defense contractor Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) will help in the development of the company's portable hydrogen fuel cell power system for the U.S. Army.

The work is part of a $3.5 million subcontract previously awarded to Protonex to develop a 250 watt portable fuel cell power source.Raytheon, headquartered in Waltham, Mass., will test the Protonex system and assist in optimizing its functionality to meet rigorous military standards for performance and safety.

"Working with Raytheon on this program will speed and strengthen refinement of our 250 watt fuel cell product, and we expect to leverage this technology into advanced power systems for industrial and commercial markets as well," said Scott Pearson, CEO of Protonex.

The company said the integrated, ruggedized fuel cell power source will include customizable power management equipment.

It's designed for use by the U.S. Army, Special Operations Command and Marines for charging military batteries, or as a stand-alone power source to provide electricity for military equipment in remote locations.

Protonex, which is licensing its technology from Eatontown, N.J.'s Millennium Cell (see Licensed to win), said it's expected to deliver ten portable fuel cell power systems to the U.S. Army Research Office for evaluation under the one year program.

Protonex also licensed Millenium's technology for use in a fuel cell designed for unmanned aircraft (see Protonex awards Millennium U.S. military fuel cell subcontract).

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