re: #91 3eff Jeff

That should work great, actually. Fuel cells can run with up to 60-70% efficiency, and while hydrogen storage is a bit of an annoyance, a properly specified compressed H2 tank should work well. Also, the electric motors used for the drive system have exactly the right power and torque curves for a combat tank (full torque from zero RPM and laser level torque through most of the RPM range).

The other major problems with fuel cells aren’t a big deal, because it’s the military. I’m thinking primarily of the fuel distribution network issues (generating H2 and making it available at refueling station the below-average person can reasonably use).

Finally, there’s some cool opportunities here. A next gen pebble bed reactor could be made small enough that you could package it up with a high-temperature high-efficiency electrolysis plant and drop ship it to a forward base with a ready water supply. No supply lines for your fuel. Normally, I’m an advocate for internal combustion and biofuels, but off the top of my head, hydrogen seems like it could be an excellent technology for the military.

Thanks for that info. I hope the project succeeds. It could be a major step forwards.