Product category:
PCs and Embedded Systems
News Release from: Saft Rechargeable Battery Systems | Subject:
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 23 February 2000
MoD selects extended-capability
lithium-ion power
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected the Extended Capability Lithium Ion Power System (ECLIPS) rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery and charger system from Lincad Limited and Saft.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected the Extended Capability Lithium Ion Power System (ECLIPS) rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery and charger system from Lincad Limited and Saft, for a new generation of portable electronic equipment for British Armed Forces To satisfy this exciting new requirement for an advanced power system, the ECLIPS Project Team proposed the 24V, 12 amp-hour Li-ion battery from the ECLIPS battery range, supported by the ECLIPS charger which provides fast charging of the Li-ion battery and existing in-service nickel-cadmium batteries
The ECLIPS solution provides the user with a significantly enhanced mission capability as a result of the use of the lithium-ion cell technology which provides increased capacity, reduced weight and a more compact solution than that of traditional rechargeable battery types.
In addition the ECLIPS solution provides an increased number of operational cycles when compared with existing in-service battery types, thereby reducing the through-life costs of procurement of this technology.
The MoD contract, which will be primed by Lincad Limited, is for a development and proving programme followed by a limited production run of ECLIPS batteries and chargers to be fielded by August 2000.
Following this in-service trial, full production will commence in early 2001.
The managing director of Lincad Limited, Brian Soden, stated following the contract award, "We have considerable expertise in the development and manufacture of power management systems that combine advanced cells with charging and communications electronics.
We believe this background, aligned to our management expertise in this type of project, has contributed to our success in winning this contract from the MoD." Saft's UK sales director for lithium batteries, Richard Boyens, added, "Li-ion batteries are increasingly specified for military and civilian battery packs where high energy and low weight are crucial.
Our MP cells enable batteries to be designed with far greater energy density and less wasted 'dead' space within the battery case enabling the packs to be smaller and lighter.
In addition, their cycling performance is considerably in excess of most current battery types." Saft holds a leading position in the worldwide marketplace for self-contained energy solutions.
Saft's product range includes portable sources, industrial and advanced technology batteries and power systems. Request a free brochure from Saft Rechargeable Battery Systems ...
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