TMCnet News
Saft Awarded Contract from BAE Systems to Power the M777A2 Lightweight HowitzerCOCKEYSVILLE, Md. --(Business Wire)-- Saft (News - Alert), the world's leading designer and manufacturer of high technology batteries for industry, has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract from BAE Systems (News - Alert) to provide Super-Phosphate batteries for the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer. The M777, which has been in production since 2002, was selected by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army as the next-generation medium-force weapon. The M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer is a 155mm 39 caliber towed gun and innovatively uses titanium and aluminum alloys to meet the requirements for a rapidly deployable and accurate artillery fire support weapon. Saft's Super-Phosphate cells will replace previous lead-acid batteries and provide advantages specific to the company's Li-ion technology. These high-performance cells boast an increased lifecycle, depth of discharge ability and a faster recharge when compared to the traditional lead-acid batteries, reducing the total operational costs. The cells will be integrated with Saft's field-proven 28V control and power electronics through robust battery enclosures that are designed to withstand the rugged environments of the system. Overall, Saft will deliver 38 prototypes of its Enhanced Powerpack featuring VL43EFe Super-Phosphate cells during the design qualification stage and 121 during initial production, with the opportunity to increase production up to 1,000 Li-ion batteries. The 28V batteries have a capacity of 80Ah and supply the M777's fire control system with 10-20 continuous amp loads. It also supplies the weapon's hydraulic power assistance kit pack (HyPak) with 120 amps for 30-second intermittent load periods. The contract scope includes design, development, design verification testing and completion of the Navy's NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010 and NAVSEA SG270-BV-SAF-010 testing. "This partnership with BAE Systems highlights the superiority of Li-ion Super-Phospate technology and represents Saft's unique ability to enhance the weapon systems market with a new battery system," said Thomas Alcide, General Manager of Saft's Specialty Battery Group. "Saft looks forward to further developing advanced technology batteries and expanding our portfolio of offerings for military weapons systems." To kick-off the three-year contract, delivery of the initial prototypes is set to begin in Q2 of 2014. About Saft Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics' markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 3,800 employees in 18 countries, 14 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group's growth for the future. Saft batteries. Designed for industry.
|
