The novel constructions of hybrid energy sources using polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs), and supercapacitors are developed. Studies on the energy demand and peak electrical power of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) weighing up to 100 kg were conducted under various conditions. It was found that the average electrical power required does not exceed ~2 kW under all conditions studied. However, under the dynamic electrical load of the electric drive of mobile robots, the short peak power exceeded 2 kW, and the highest current load was in the range of 80–90 A. The electrical performance of a family of PEMFC stacks built in open-cathode mode was determined. A hydrogen-usage control strategy for power generation, cleaning processes, and humidification was analysed. The integration of a PEMFC stack with a bank of supercapacitors makes it possible to mitigate the voltage dips. These occur periodically at short time intervals as a result of short-circuit operation. In the second construction, the recovery of electrical energy dissipated by a short-circuit unit (SCU) was also demonstrated in the integrated PEMFC stack and supercapacitor bank system. The concept of an energy-efficient, mobile, and environmentally friendly hydrogen charging unit has been proposed. It comprises (i) a hydrogen anion exchange membrane electrolyser, (ii) a photovoltaic installation, (iii) a battery storage, (iv) a hydrogen buffer storage in a buffer tank, (v) a hydrogen compression unit, and (vi) composite tanks.

The article concerns the most important issues of designing an unmanned vehicle for the implementation of observation tasks in the protection of the perimeter of the state border. An analysis of the terrain conditions necessary for the unmanned vehicle to overcome and a description of the key components of the HUNTeR vehicle responsible for the ability to work in such conditions was presented. Also included were tests verifying the basic assumptions of the project in the field of operation at the maximum speed of travel.