The Sonobuoy has been and is continuing to be used for safeguarding Navy ships and other related applications. But the need for even higher power and more capabilities from the Sonobuoy has increased the demand for more power from its primary battery to support pulses from the present 4500 watts to 6500 watts pulses. LithChem Energy (LCE) has developed the highest power battery in the world with a power density of >10,000 W/kg with an energy density of 120 Wh/kg and capable of pulses up to 200 C rate. This battery also has the long shelf life needed for the Sonobuoy. LCE will initially make a 124 V battery which fits into the present Sonobuoy battery volume based on LCE high power AA cells which can achieve 200 pings of 6500 watt-second pulses on a 10% duty cycle over an 8 hour period. LCE will then demonstrate a new cylindrical cell (35450) which is capable of 200 pings of a Sonobuoy battery at >8000 watt-second pulses under the same test requirements. This new LCE battery also has the potential for providing ten-second 8000 watt pulses. This battery will open up new applications and capabilities for this proven Navy system.
Benefit: As US military strategy transitions to an Asia-Pacific and more Navy-centric emphasis, anti-submarine warfare has gained greater importance to counter both growing tensions in the South China Sea and a growing threat from Chinese submarines. To counter this, the presidents FY14 budget calls for an increase of 72% in the expenditures for sonobuoy production over 2013 budget. High pulse power batteries are required to enhance the active surveillance of threat environments. A high pulse power battery will increase the quality of the data which can be obtained. The 8000W pulse power of this battery development will exceed NAVSEA expectations by >20% to enhance the quality of surveillance data. Other Navy and DoD programs, where increased pulse power will enhance performance such as for underwater surveillance networks, enhanced mobility for divers, and enhanced pulse power and endurance for flight data recording systems (black box) will also benefit.
Keywords: lithium, lithium, Ping, Primary, Power, Sonar, Pulse, Sonobuoy, Battery
