VANCOUVER and SOUTHBOROUGH, MA, Sept.
25, 2017 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX:
BLDP) and the Company's wholly owned subsidiary – Protonex
Technology Corporation ("Protonex") – today announced that the U.S.
Army Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO-Soldier) has received
signature approval for its Mobile Soldier Power Program of Record
to full rate production status, commonly known as "Milestone C".
This Program of Record includes a number of new devices focused
on improving power and energy management on and around the soldier,
including Protonex' Squad Power Manager Kit (SPM-622), conformal
wearable batteries, and man-worn power and data distribution
devices, such as Protonex' Vest Power Manager family.
"With the digitization of the battlefield, the U.S. military
identified a capability gap in energy and power management for its
increasing array of electronic devices," said Paul Osenar, President of Protonex. "Our Squad
Power Manager is one of the solutions that fill this gap.
Lightening the load of troops by eliminating many of the batteries,
adapters and chargers they carry was a requirement that we
identified years ago. We are excited to work with the Army to
provide innovative and practical power solutions like our Squad
Power Manager. The Milestone C designation now enables the U.S.
Army to field the SPM-622 as part of the Mobile Soldier Power
Program of Record in significant volume."
The SPM-622 is a tough, versatile and agile power management
device, weighing less than a pound and enabling military forces to
manage and prioritize power use for various electronics devices –
including portable radios, GPS systems, Medical and EOD equipment,
and computers – from any available power source. In addition, the
SPM-622's ability to scavenge from vehicles, other batteries, solar
panels and other energy sources allows military units to recharge
mission essential batteries when resupply is unavailable or
delayed. As a result, the U.S. Department of Defense and Allied
militaries have deployed more than 5,500 Protonex SPM Power Manager
Kits through the limited production phase of the program.
The small, light and intelligent SPM-622 system increases
mobility and flexibility of the warfighter. The product fulfills a
U.S. Army requirement that has been validated by deployed units
engaged in combat operations in austere environments, delivering a
number of high-priority benefits to military end-users that
include: reliable power for a variety of electronic devices,
including equipment for communications, medical, explosive
ordinance detection and directed fires; lightened load due to
reduced battery burden; reduced logistical strain in remote
locations or austere environments as a result of the lower quantity
and variety of batteries needed; increased energy independence; and
increased operational and mission effectiveness.
The SPM-622 Squad Power Manager was developed by Protonex and is
manufactured at production facilities located in Southborough, Massachusetts.
About Protonex
Protonex is a leading provider of
advanced power management and fuel cell solutions for portable,
remote and mobile applications. With a wide range of
technical expertise and an expanding intellectual property
portfolio, Protonex is well positioned to deliver high-performance,
low-cost power solutions to military, commercial and consumer
customers. On October 1, 2015,
Protonex became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ballard Power Systems.
Protonex remains a U.S. corporation headquartered in Southborough, MA. The full range of the PTX
series of power management solutions from Protonex can be seen at
www.PTXnomad.com
Further information: Lawrence
Holsworth +1.508.490.9960 x228;
lawrence.holsworth@protonex.com
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) provides clean energy products that
reduce customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve
difficult technical and business challenges in their fuel cell
programs. To learn more about Ballard, please visit
www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
anticipated product performance, customer benefits and market
demand for our products. These forward-looking statements reflect
Ballard's current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such
forward-looking statements are based on Ballard's assumptions
relating to its financial forecasts and expectations regarding its
product development efforts, manufacturing capacity, and market
demand.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
Ballard's actual results to be materially different, including
general economic and regulatory changes, detrimental reliance on
third parties, successfully achieving our business plans and
achieving and sustaining profitability. For a detailed discussion
of these and other risk factors that could affect Ballard's future
performance, please refer to Ballard's most recent Annual
Information Form. Readers should not place undue reliance on
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obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward
looking statements, other than as required under applicable
legislation.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy securities. The Ballard
Common Shares have not been registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any
other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an
applicable exemption from registration requirements.
Further Information: Guy McAree
+1.604.412.7919, media@ballard.com or investors@ballard.com
SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.