The Engineer

Saft launches Li-ion battery for military engines

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Saft has unveiled a prototype 28V Lithium-ion battery system for starting up military vehicle engines and ‘silent-watch’ reconnaissance missions.

Speaking from the international land/air defence and security exhibition, Eurosatory 2010, in Paris, Franck Poirier, business development manager at Saft, told The Engineer that his company has been working for the last two years on several US military vehicle programmes to demonstrate Li-ion battery technology for non-hybrid vehicles for engine starting, lighting, ignition and silent-watch applications.  

‘We are fairly confident we need another two years to get our product fully qualified,’ he said.

Poirier said Saft sees its Li-ion battery concept as a high-performance alternative to conventional lead-acid batteries for armoured military vehicles.

The 28V batteries are designed to deliver large reserves of power for engine starting and supporting onboard electrical systems throughout the long periods of autonomous operation demanded by extended silent-watch missions.

It is claimed that the use of Li-ion technology will significantly reduce battery weight and onboard footprint, while also ensuring a longer service life.

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