Some army trucks are currently on order, which will run on fuel cells. The Army is also funding research on tanks, which will be able to do the same. The United States Air Force Research Laboratory is working on fuel cell aircraft and the United States Navy on ships and submarines. This is all part of the US Military’s clean fuel initiatives.

Why are these initiatives sought? Why is it so important to move the ball forward with these new technologies? If the US military has more fuel in reserves than god almighty, then why do we need fuel cells? Well, there are several reasons;

1.) Future global shortages due to supply and demand and China and India coming in line with huge fuel needs.

2.) Future fuel costs.

3.) The logistics supply chain needs to move the fuel with the robotic fighting force.

Imagine the cost of moving tankers full of fuel by plane, ship and truck to the front lines and imagine the risk of trying to deliver it. If you’re driving a fuel loader in a fuel truck, you’re the most favorable target for your enemy and that doesn’t say much about your life expectancy, right?

If fuel becomes scarce in the future or the enemy intercepts fuel shipments, destroys refineries or disrupts the flow of fuel, then fuel cell technology can be a godsend as your convoy and troops will not be stationed at the roadside like Ducks sitting completely dry of fuel. Think about this in 2006.