UQM Technologies Inc. (Frederick, CO), a developer of alternative energy technologies, announced that it has received a contract from the US Navy to evaluate the application of hybrid-electric propulsion to small military boats. The $70,000 Phase I contract was awarded by the Office of Naval Research under the Small Business Innovation Research program and will be performed over a period of six months.
"This contract represents our first award from the US Navy for the potential application of hybrid-electric technology in watercraft", said UQM Technologies President and Chief Executive Officer William Rankin. "We believe that hybrid-electric propulsion can enhance the performance and utility of a wide range of watercraft, demonstrating benefits similar to those achieved by ground vehicles, including improved fuel consumption and lower emissions. We are pleased that the Navy has chosen our company to evaluate the feasibility of applying hybrid-electric technology to small military boats."
