U.S. Naval Research Lab Selects Alta Devices to Add Solar Power to Its Breakthrough Hybrid Tiger UAV Project

Will Enable Aircraft to Fly for Days By Developing Innovative
Technologies for Both Government and Commercial Applications

SUNNYVALE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#AutonomousPower—Alta
Devices announced today that the U.S.
Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) will use Alta Devices highly
efficient, flexible, and light-weight solar technology to help power the
breakthrough Hybrid Tiger UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). The Hybrid
Tiger is a project designed to create a Group-2 UAV that will stay aloft
for at least 3.5 days. Technologies developed for the project will be
applicable to other unmanned vehicles.

The Hybrid Tiger program integrates multiple technologies into a single
UAV designed for long range endurance. It will use high-efficiency
flexible solar cells, a hydrogen fuel cell, and energy-aware guidance
algorithms. The program is sponsored by the Office of the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy and the U. S.
Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office.

The Hybrid Tiger UAV planned demonstration includes flights over
multiple days, during the winter solstice and as far North as 50 degrees
latitude to highlight how extreme endurance UAV flight can be achieved
using hybridization of solar photovoltaics, a hydrogen fuel cell, and
autonomous soaring algorithms, regardless of latitude or time of year.
The aircraft will fly for multiple days without using traditional fuels.
The multi-day endurance technology will enable applications such as low
altitude communications enablement, atmospheric research, and search and
rescue missions, according to a fact sheet provided by NRL.

ÔÇ£Widespread use of small UAVs in both the military and industry has been
limited to-date by endurance. The Hybrid Tiger will demonstrate that
very long endurance flights, with sophisticated telemetry and
capabilities, can be achieved with the inclusion of solar arrays,ÔÇØ said
Jian Ding, Alta Devices CEO. ÔÇ£This project will open the door for many
new solar powered UAV applications, and we look forward to achieving
next generation breakthroughs via this cooperative effort.ÔÇØ

About the U.S. Naval Research Lab

The U.S.
Naval Research Laboratory provides the advanced scientific
capabilities required to bolster our country's position of global naval
leadership. The Laboratory, with a total complement of approximately
2,500 personnel, is located in southwest Washington, D.C., with other
major sites at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Monterey, Calif. NRL
has served the Navy and the nation for over 90 years and continues to
advance research further than you can imagine. For more information,
visit the NRL website or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook,
and YouTube.

About Alta Devices

Alta
Devices is empowering autonomy by delivering the worldÔÇÖs most
efficient, thin and flexible mobile power technology. By converting
light of any kind into electricity, Alta Devices AnyLightÔäó power
technology extends the energy source of a system, and in many cases,
completely cuts the traditional power cord. The solution can be
completely integrated into the final system, and is ideal for use in
unmanned systems, satellites, consumer electronics, sensors, automotive,
remote exploration, or anywhere size, weight, and mobility matter. Alta
Devices holds world records for energy conversion efficiency and is
headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. For more information, visit http://www.altadevices.com.
Alta Devices is a Hanergy company.

All trademarks and registered trademarks are those of their respective
companies.

Contacts

For more press information:
Abigail Johnson/Paul Michelson,
650-802-1851
Roeder-Johnson Corporation
http://email.roeder-johnson.com
or
For
more Alta Devices information:
Rich Kapusta, 408-585-2050
Chief
Marketing Officer
[email protected]
or
For
more Naval Research Lab (NRL)
press information:
Dr.
Dan Edwards, 202-404-7623
Aerospace Engineer
Vehicle Research
Section
www.nrl.navy.mil/vrs