Since 1997, The ENSER Corporation has been the sole-source supplier to Raytheon Missile Systems for both the AIM-9X CAS and AIM-9X GS (Guidance System) batteries. Initially, both of these batteries employed the legacy lithium-silicon alloy (LiSi) / FeS2 (naturally-occurring iron pyrite) electrochemistry. In 2006, Raytheon communicated the need to significantly upgrade the performance capabilities of the GS battery. As part of an upgrade ENSER substituted its low impedance CoS2-based cathode in place of conventional FeS2. Along with a minor change in cell diameter, ENSERs CoS2 cathode technology enabled a 58% increase in usable energy over the legacy GS battery while maintaining an average power of 404 watts vs. 226 watts. Thus, the LiSi / CoS2 chemistry enabled a significant increase in usable energy even when discharged at a 78% higher power level. In addition to CoS2, ENSER now has an entire cadre of new thermal battery materials, along with tape-casting capability for conformal shapes, which are available for evaluation and insertion into the AIM-9X CAS battery. Based on this extensive development and AIM-9X battery production experience, ENSER is uniquely positioned to undertake the proposed effort.
Benefit: The primary goal of this effort is to identify a technically viable path toward the development of a robust high voltage thermal battery with reduced impedance that has the capability of supporting the AIM-9X CAS battery program. The improved performance anticipated is of interest to Navy and DoD programs and is expected to meet and/or exceed the anticipated increased performance requirement demands of current and future tactical and strategic systems.
Keywords: Thermal Battery, Thermal Battery, Advanced Capability, Conformal Shape, Reduced Impedance
