Abstract: A fuel-cell-powered vehicle includes an electrically-powered turbine assembly having a housing, a rotating shaft, an air compressor comprising a compressor stator fixed to the housing and a compressor rotor fixed to the rotating shaft, an electric motor including an electric motor stator fixed to the compressor stator and an electric motor rotor fixed to the rotating shaft, a turbine including a turbine stator affixed to the housing, a turbine rotor fixed to the rotating shaft, and two or more fuel cells arranged around an outside of the electrically-powered turbine assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks mechanically and electrically assembled to one another to provide a desired power and output voltage, and including a humidifier directly mated to inlet and outlet ports the individual fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: A hinged blimp system is disclosed. A hinged blimp system includes a vectored thrust engine, which may or may not be implemented as part of a remotely piloted airship vehicle (RPAV) subsystem that is coupled to a ground-based subsystem. The vectored thrust engine includes a vectored thrust frame coupled to a support structure that is, in turn operationally connected to a balloon envelope. The vectored thrust frame is coupled to the support structure via a hinge, or knuckle, with a pitch axle and a roll axle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network of aerostats. An aerostat network management system is in communication with intranodal management systems of respective aerostat network nodes. Aerostats keep an airborne platform in the air at each aerostat network node. Internodal conveyances carry cargo, passengers, or data from one aerostat network node to another. The internodal conveyances can include unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs).