N142-110 TITLE: High Power, Long Endurance Battery

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Chemical/Bio Defense, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 264

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN NATIONALS: This topic is "ITAR Restricted". The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign nationals may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign national who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal may be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a high power saltwater battery capable of 6500 watts.

DESCRIPTION: Innovative research into increasing the capacity of high pulse power batteries for "A" size sonobuoy applications is desired. The current available technology is at 4500 watts. Current research is pushing towards 5500 watts, but this still falls short of Navy need. A 6500 watt battery technology that would integrate into the existing system within the design requirements and form factor described below is desired.

The battery should be able to meet Navy environmental and safety requirements.

Battery specification list should include but not be limited to the following areas of design:

• Safety (Safety requirements governing the system including specific test criteria and pass/fail criteria)
• System interface (Form factor/space claim, mechanical connection points, electrical connections, surrounding components, heat profile)
• Active environment (Min/Max Potential, Current, Power, Time, Temperature, Pressure, Environmental impact, Bio/environmental degradation after use and disposal, non-venting)
• Storage environment (Min/Max Potential, Time, Temperature, Pressure) six year shelf life without recharging and meet requirements stated in this topic
• Cost (Production/Delivery Schedule, Cost Target, Expected total acquisition quantity for the life of the platform)

Battery Chemistry: Any chemistry. Must be certifiable for use on Navy Aircraft
Battery Length: 7.15 inches
Battery Diameter: 4.55 inches
Battery Weight: 8.6 Kg
Watts: 6500
Watts-Hours: 355
Open Circuit Voltage: 145
Normal Operating Voltage: 105
Minimum Loaded voltage: 70V
Amps During Discharge/Pulse: 50-70A
Pulse Load: 200 total pulse-seconds of 6500 watts constant pulses at a 10 percent max duty cycle at 0°C
Battery nominal endurance: 8 hours Standby/200 Ping-Sec at 10 percent duty cycle
Battery shelf life: 6 Years Active Storage
Estimated battery unit cost at manufacturing level/USD: <$650.00

PHASE I: Determine, design and demonstrate feasibility of a viable battery that meets or exceeds the requirements specified. Identify technological and reliability challenges of the design approach, and propose viable risk mitigation strategies.

PHASE II: Design, fabricate, and deliver a battery prototype based on the design from Phase I. Test and fully characterize the system prototype.

PHASE III: Finalize the design, fabricate and conduct operational testing of a battery integrated into the existing sonobuoys meeting all specifications and assist in obtaining certification for flight on a NAVAIR R&D aircraft.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Compact, high power batteries have potential use in aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) where there are significant limitations on the form factor and the need for high power.

REFERENCES:
1. Linden, D, 1984, Navy Primary and Secondary Batteries, Handbook of Batteries and Fuel Cells.

2. Keller, P.B., Smith, P.H., Winchester, C.S., James, S.D, and Zoski, G.D, 1996, Sonobuoy Battery Development, Proceedings 37th Power Sources Conference, Cherry Hill, NJ, p. 321.

3. Winchester, C.S, Dejarnette, H., Keller, P.B., Cubbison, D., Sink, M., Charlton, S., Zoski, G., Gottwald, J., & Keuneke, C., 2002, Development and Performance Demonstration of a Very-High Power Sonobuoy Power Source, Proceedings of the 40th Power Sources Conference, p. 21.

4. Naval Sea Systems Command, 1988, Technical Manual for Batteries, Navy Lithium Safety Program and Procedures, Publication No. S9310-AQ-SAF-010.

KEYWORDS: Airborne, High Power, Battery, Endurance, Shelf Life, Storage

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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