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The current economic and financial crisis has been aggravated by the high energy prices, represented in Figure 1. They are the main cause for the increase of CO 2 presence in the atmosphere, declared to be one of the most important culprits of global warming and the atmospheric emissions of other pollutants. Starting from the premise that important energy and environmental problems in our society exist, the advantages and disadvantages of fuel cells as an alternative for UAV propulsion systems are going to be analyzed.įossil fuels pose a serious environmental and economic problem.
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These have advantages in terms of endurance, efficiency, emissions, and stealth which make them ideal for UAV applications. Current propulsion systems are based on different types of internal combustion engines fed by fossil fuels, but with the global energy situation, preceded by the energy crises of the 70s and strategic incentives to make alternative propulsion systems, fuel cells have started to be introduced. Most developed countries have already acquired UAVs or plan to do so soon. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), encouraged by recent technological developments, have seen a dramatic interest boost in recent years and are already considered as an integral and indispensable part of modern armed forces with an increasing number of dual use and civil applications. Since the low power density is the main problem of fuel cells, hybridization with electric batteries, necessary in most cases, is also explored. Main constraints for these kinds of fuel cells are analyzed in order to elucidate the viability of future developments. Some operating commercial applications are described. Potential advantages of the Proton Exchange Membrane or Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEMFC) and Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC), their fuels (hydrogen and methanol), and their storage systems are revised from technical and environmental standpoints. The possibility of implementing fuel cell technology in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) propulsion systems is considered.