General Atomics Demos Aluminum Power System for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) demonstrated the Aluminum Power System (ALPS), powering an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) at a GA-EMS test tank facility in San Diego, USA.

During the demonstration, a submerged ALPS provided hydrogen and oxygen to a Teledyne Energy Systems fuel cell, which provided electrical power to propel a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), the company said in a statement.

“The ALPS has been integrated to supply hydrogen and oxygen to fuel cells to generate electrical power and drive an underwater vehicle for the firs time,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS.

“The ALPS high energy density system is intended to provide up to 10 times the energy output of similar battery volume. With its unlimited shelf life, safe handling, and high energy density, it can enable underwater ‘refueling stations’ to support long-term underwater vehicle operations,” he added.