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ONR Showcases Fuel Cell Vehicle at 2011 PACOM Conference

For Immediate Release: Mar 17, 2011
By Geoff S. Fein, Office of Naval Research

ARLINGTON, Va.—More than 500 attendees turned out for the 2011 Pacific Operational Science and Technology Symposium and Exhibit March 14-17, where the Office of Naval Research showcased the latest innovations in fuel cell vehicles, robotics and weapons.

Coming on the heels of the recent devastating Japanese earthquake and tsunami, this year's conference in Honolulu focused on "Forging Regional Science and Technology Ties: Synergizing International Partnerships to Meet Shared Objectives." Panel discussions explored timely topics such as nuclear safety and climate change in the Asian pacific as well as the Navy's maritime strategy.

ONR was among more than 45 exhibitors at the annual conference. ONR's exhibit included a hydrogen-based fuel cell vehicle, designed and manufactured by General Motors for the Marines in Hawaii. The vehicle is anticipated to be available to the public by 2015.

Additionally, visitors to ONR's booth learned about the Navy's Electromagnetic Railgun; the Remote Environmental Monitoring Units System; and Octavia, the mobile, dexterous, social android.

Speakers at the conference included Dr. Walter Jones, ONR's executive director, who discussed a range of science and technology efforts, including autonomous vehicles and directed energy.

See 2011 PACOM photos on ONR's official Facebook page or download technology fact sheets:

  • Electromagnetic Railgun
  • Fuel Cell Vehicles
  • Human Robotic Interaction
  • Remote Environmental Monitoring Units Systems

About the Office of Naval Research

This year, the Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) marks its 80th anniversary. For 80 years, ONR — including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory — has been a leader in advancing American naval warfighter readiness and dominance through innovations in science and technology for the Navy and Marine Corps. Today, ONR’s continued dedication to providing the Fleet and Force with the technological edge is catalyzing the advancement and delivery of combat systems, sensors, weapons, materials, robotic and autonomous systems and numerous other state-of-the-art, naval platforms and capabilities.