International Battery last week said it will develop a hybrid energy storage solution for combat tanks and Stryker armored vehicles under a $730,441 contract from the Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.
If all options are exercised on the multi-year contract, the value could total $6.7 million.
This is the second TARDEC award for the company, and it is funding work for advanced level testing and delivery of energy storage system prototypes for Silent Watch, which requires battery systems that are rugged, have no heat signature, can withstand wide temperature variances and are lighter than lead-acid batteries.
Additionally, the company will develop a hybrid battery system that will incorporate lithium iron phosphate cells for energy and ultracapacitors for power.
International Battery’s new NATO 6T-compatible battery is a hybrid 12-volt system, the company said. The goal is to develop a battery that can deliver more power and energy to ultimately replace heavier lead-acid batteries as their reliability is greatly reduced in harsh environments, requiring frequent replacement. Also, lead-acid batteries can compromise mission effectiveness as they are sensitive to wide variances in temperatures, further accelerating degradation and creating supply and logistics issues resulting in a higher total cost of ownership.
“Our innovative lithium battery technology and our U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities will help enhance our country’s security and provide increased operational readiness for our troops in the field,” International Battery CEO Ake Almgren said.
The award continues advanced development of the company’s Non Primary Power System (NPS 1160) that is modeled on the company’s large-format iron phosphate cells and battery management system technology developed and produced in the United States.