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Nel ASA Secures Collins Aerospace Order for PEM Electrolyser Stacks Supporting US Navy Submarine Life-Support Systems

By MGN Editorial•September 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Norwegian hydrogen technology firm Nel ASA has received a new purchase order from Collins Aerospace to supply PEM electrolyser stacks that will generate oxygen for life-support systems aboard US Navy submarines.

## Nel ASA Wins US Navy Submarine Contract Through Collins Aerospace Nel Hydrogen US, the American subsidiary of Oslo-listed Nel ASA (OSE: NEL), has secured a new purchase order from Collins Aerospace for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser stacks destined for use in US Navy submarine operations, the company announced on 29 September 2026. According to Nel ASA, the electrolyser stacks will be deployed to generate oxygen for life-support systems aboard US submarines — a mission-critical application where reliability and performance are paramount. The order underscores the growing role of advanced hydrogen and electrolyser technologies in defence and naval applications, extending well beyond their more widely publicised use in commercial energy transition projects. ### Strategic Significance for Naval Operations PEM electrolysis technology splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrical current, making it well-suited for submarine environments where a compact, efficient, and dependable oxygen generation system is essential for crew safety during extended submerged operations. The technology offers advantages over older systems in terms of purity of output, responsiveness, and reduced maintenance requirements. Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation and a major supplier of aerospace and defence systems, serves as the integrating contractor for this programme, with Nel providing the core electrolyser stack hardware. ### Nel ASA's Defence and Industrial Portfolio The order adds to Nel's growing portfolio of contracts spanning both commercial green hydrogen infrastructure and specialised industrial and defence applications. The company has positioned its PEM electrolyser technology as adaptable across a wide range of sectors, and contracts of this nature with established defence primes such as Collins Aerospace lend further credibility to the technology's operational maturity. While financial terms of the purchase order were not disclosed, the contract is notable for its strategic profile, linking Norwegian hydrogen technology directly to US naval readiness and undersea warfare capability. The announcement reflects broader trends in naval procurement, where allied navies are increasingly evaluating advanced electrochemical technologies to improve vessel endurance, crew safety, and operational independence from surface resupply. *Source: PR Newswire / Nel ASA company announcement, 29 September 2026.*
#PEM electrolysis#submarine technology#US Navy#Nel ASA#Collins Aerospace#naval defence#hydrogen technology#life-support systems#underwater vessels

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