Protonex Powers Record Flight

Using a fuel cell system built by Southborough-based Protonex Technology Corp., the U.S. Navy has set a flight endurance record for small, unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Naval Research Laboratory and the Office of Naval Research flew the Ion Tiger unmanned aerial vehicle for more than 23 hours, an unofficial record for fuel cell powered flight and surpassing previous unmanned flight endurance for any technology.

Protonex said it will continue to develop the ultra-light fuel cell system used in the flight for specific military requirements. The company also said the technology could have commercial applications.