Lithium-ion drop-in replaces lead-acid batteries for military vehicles
The Xcelion 6T battery is a lithium-ion (Li-ion) drop-in replacement of lead-acid batteries that provides equivalent power of two lead-acid batteries at a quarter of the weight and half the volume. The launch signals the conclusion of a two-year industrialisation programme, in which Saft successfully reduced the cost of the Xcelion 6T to increase its commercialisation and create a versatile off-the-shelf product.
As modern military operations shift away from the frontline, the need to power the plethora of emerging sensors and communication systems installed in today’s military vehicles is putting a strain on current power systems. Saft’s Xcelion 6T leverages Li-ion technology to offer many benefits over lead-acid, such as longer life, higher energy density, and lower total cost of ownership. As a result, the Xcelion 6T enhances the capabilities of today’s military vehicles, supporting extended silent watch operations (engine off mode) and a multitude of technologies on the vehicle that must run on battery power.
In the long term, Xcelion 6T will reduce logistical burdens to stow, transport and distribute replacement batteries. This translates to more than $200 million of savings in total cost of ownership for a fleet of 20,000 vehicles over a 20 year life.
Thomas Alcide, President of Saft America, Inc. and General Manager of Saft’s Specialty Battery Group, said: “By reducing the cost and time to build the Xcelion 6T battery, Saft is ready to offer this product to replace lead-acid batteries, not only on all military vehicles worldwide, but also for many commercial applications.”
The Saft Xcelion 6T is a 28 V, 60 Ah Li-ion battery system that is designed within the dimensions of a traditional lead-acid battery, enabling easy installation into the vehicle. The system provides power for starting, lights and ignition, as well as safety critical devices during silent watch missions, such as sensors, jammers, communication and control equipment. The system also features available CANBus communications that relays vital information, including state-of-charge, state-of-health, cell voltages, temperatures and battery diagnostics.
The Xcelion 6T has already been chosen for the Thales Hawkei vehicle and by Lockheed Martin for its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) offering. In the first quarter of 2015, Saft delivered Xcelion 6T batteries for use in the Hawkei’s prototype vehicles. A follow-on contract is expected to support Hawkei initial production in the fourth quarter of 2015.
The JLTV program, led by the U.S. Army, is a multi-service initiative to develop a family of next-generation, lightweight vehicles that will replace many of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) currently used across the armed forces. JLTV will provide a family of vehicles (FOV) that are capable of performing multiple mission roles. They are designed to provide protected, sustained, networked mobility for personnel and payloads across the full range of military operations.
Saft’s Xcelion 6T has completed all qualification tests, including United Nations (UN) transportation certification. The battery also has a NATO Stock Number, which will expand the market for the battery.
Related articles and links:
www.saftbatteries.com
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