In response to a provision within the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2004, the Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Energy Support Center (DLA DESC) contracted with LMI to examine the potential use of hydrogen as a defense logistics fuel. Congress directed DLA to assess the feasibility of substituting hydrogen fuel and fuel cell technology, in both transportation and power generation applications, domestically and overseas; the potential for reducing air emissions; and the implications for the cost and footprint of military operations. To frame a response to those requirements, we formulated three key questions: 1) Is the use of hydrogen a viable option for DoD? 2) What infrastructure development would be necessary, and what timeline would be expected, to begin using hydrogen fuel in step with industry developments? 3) What would be the costs and benefits of making the transition to a hydrogen fuel-based force, for both a home-based force and a deployed war-fighting force? Our investigation of these issues involved reviewing literature in detail and conducting interviews and personal communications with industry leaders and DoD personnel with subject matter expertise.

Report DES41M1.