Meggit wins US mililtary hydrogen fuel cell contract
Meggit has announced that it has been awarded with a $39.8m contract from the US Defense Logistics Agency concerning the use of hydrogen fuel cells in legacy Hornet fighter jets. As per the three year production contract, Meggit will be developing and delivering its new bulletproof hydrogen fuel cells in the last quarter of this year. 
Aerospace engineer Meggitt has won a $39.8m contract from the US-based Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to replace fuel cells in the legacy Hornet fighter jet, after soaring demand from the US Navy and in Spain, Finland and Switzerland.

The three-year production contract, which ends in late 2018, will see first deliveries of its bullet-proof fuel cells in the last quarter of this year.

Chief executive Stephen Young said the win demonstrated Meggitt's operational excellence and technological superiority.

"Meggitt is synonymous with flexible crashworthy and ballistically-resistant fuel cell technology in this market," he said.

"However, a critical success factor in winning this award was our Rockmart facility's outstanding quality standards and superior delivery performance."

Meggitt's long-life, lightweight fuel cell technology is based on polyurethane, making the cells maintenance-free, with inner liners that do not dry out and degrade when empty for extended periods, these fuel cells have the flexibility to withstand the rigours of military operations.

The fuel cells are 'ballistically resistant', or bullet-proof, due to their self-sealing properties where bullets are absorbed into a rubber gel, suppressing ignition sources and stopping fuel leaks.

The cells for the Hornet are part long-life, lightweight cell and part ballistically-resistant structure.