SubscribeSaft wins project with General Dynamics Electric Boat for Advanced Submarine Maneuvering Technology
Saft will provide Li-ion batteries for Tango Bravo program
Submarine Maneuvering
Saft, a world leader in high technology batteries, recently received a new order from General Dynamics Electric Boat to supply lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries to serve as a high power stored energy system for an external electric actuator designed to operate submarine steering and diving planes. This actuator was designed and tested by Electric Boat in Phase 1 of the Tango Bravo program, which is jointly sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) and the Navy.
The Tango Bravo program is focused on developing advanced technologies that meet stringent submarine performance requirements while reducing ship-acquisition and life cycle costs. This element of the Tango Bravo program aims to replace hydraulics with electric actuators. The steering and diving actuators can operate normally on ship service power, but require a compact stored energy system that provides surge power under peak load conditions and also serves as an "uninterruptible power supply" if ship service power is not available. Li-ion batteries have very low internal impedance and high electrochemical potential (e.g., up to 4.2 Volts per cell) enabling efficient energy storage in a compact form.
Lithium-ion Batteries
"General Dynamics Electric Boat chose Lithium-ion batteries because of their ability to produce the highest levels of power, while being lightweight and compact," said Jack Chapman, Program Manager for General Dynamics Electric Boat. "The Saft VL16P cells offer an excellent combination of high specific power, high specific energy and high cycle-life that were ideally suited for the Tango Bravo actuator application."
"The Tango Bravo program will establish the technical baseline for the next generation of submarines," said Jim Miller, General Manager for Saft's Space and Defense Division in North America. "We are proud to work with General Dynamics and be a part of this exciting program. This contract represents a continuation of a strong relationship between Saft and the defense industry."
