Department of the Army - Liquid Hydrogen UAV Refueling Systems

The Department of the Army is procuring liquid hydrogen refueling systems and related advanced manufacturing technologies for UAVs through a contract with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, valued at USD 9,197,165. This subcontract supports NEOEx Systems in developing portable, autonomous liquid hydrogen production, storage, and refueling stations with onboard fuel cell power systems to enable Group 2 UAVs (up to 55 pounds) to achieve extended flight durations of up to 20 hours and 1,000 miles. The purpose is to enhance military UAV capabilities for long-range missions like ISR by reducing logistics burdens through on-site hydrogen generation, as part of broader Army efforts to advance next-generation unmanned weapon systems and ground support equipment.