Meggitt secures $40m fuel cell deal

Engineering firm will supply replacement fuel cells for the the legacy Hornet

International engineering group Meggitt has won a contract from the US Defense Logistics Agency to replace fuel cells in the legacy Hornet (F/A-18 C/D models) worth up to $39.8 million. 

The three-year production contract, which ends in late 2018, sees first deliveries from Meggitt's polymers and composites facility in Rockmart, Georgia, in the last quarter of this year. 

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

The ballistically-resistant fuel cells have self-sealing properties in which bullets are absorbed into a rubber gel, suppressing ignition sources and stopping fuel leaks.

Stephen Young, chief executive of Meggitt, said: "We are synonymous with flexible crashworthy and ballistically-resistant fuel cell technology in this market. However, a critical success factor in winning this award was our Rockmart facility's outstanding quality standards and superior delivery performance."