Contracts confirm torpedo battery dominance

Saft has won major contracts for silver-zinc (Ag-Zn) torpedo batteries for the German, Norwegian and South Korean navies.

Saft has strengthened its position as the world's leading developer and supplier of high-technology torpedo propulsion batteries by winning three major contracts for silver-zinc (Ag-Zn) torpedo batteries for the German, Norwegian and South Korean navies.

The contracts, to be carried out by Saft's specialised production facility in Poitiers, France, comprise: rechargeable batteries for the German Navy's DM2A3 and DM2A4 training exercise torpedoes; primary batteries for the Norwegian navy's DM2A3 combat torpedoes; and reserve batteries for the South Korean Navy's SUT combat torpedoes.

All these batteries are designed for torpedoes manufactured by Atlas Elektronik.

"These contracts are further proof of Saft's world leadership in the field of torpedo propulsion batteries, with our batteries currently in service with around 30 different navies".

"Our success is based not only on developing solutions that combine high-performance with maximum reliability, but also in our capability to provide a rapid response to met tight delivery schedules", said Tom Alcide, Specialty Battery Group General Manager.

"Furthermore, the contracts for the German and Norwegian navies confirm the successful transfer of production from Friemann and Wolf Batterietechnik (FRIWO), the company we acquired in 2003, to our new dedicated torpedo battery facility in Poitiers (France)".

In late summer 2005 Saft completed the German Navy's qualification procedures to become a qualified, recognised supplier of silver-zinc (Ag-Zn) rechargeable batteries based on its type 120 SHV cells.

These batteries will be used as training exercise batteries in the DM2A3 torpedo, with active wire guidance homing, as well as in the latest version of the new heavy weight torpedo DM2A4.

Immediately following the qualification process, the German Navy had an urgent requirement for 1044 Ag-Zn cells to be delivered by the end of 2005 and Saft won the competitive tender with its 120 SHV cells.

Thanks to its dedicated production facilities in Poitiers, Saft was able to respond to this demanding manufacturing schedule and delivered the cells on time.

The 120 SHV Ag-Zn cell has a 120Ah capacity and a nominal voltage of 1.5V and is qualified and approved according to the German military standard VG 95 284-120.

The German Military's qualification process has confirmed the successful completion of production of this cell to Saft in Poitiers.

The same cells are also used worldwide for the exercise batteries of the SST4/SUT and the MK 24 (Tigerfish) torpedo systems.

In July 2005, the Norwegian Navy entered into a framework agreement with Saft to deliver up to 15 Ag-Zn combat batteries a year according to the MTV 6135-206 specification for the heavy weight DM2A3 torpedo.

The framework agreement is for a period of three years, with an option to extend, and orders for 2006 have already been exercised.

Qualification tests on this battery type were carried out by the German BWB in co-operation with the Norwegian and German Navies.

After delivering test batteries in 2005, Saft achieved qualification in 2006.

The Saft DM2A3 combat battery is a remotely activated primary battery in a very compact version.

It belongs to the generation of safe batteries.

So even in the event of an unintended activation the battery will discharge itself safely to avoid any security concerns.

This provides additional safety for staff when the battery (inside a torpedo) is handled or stored onboard a submarine.

The type DM2A3 battery is the most advanced in Saft's range of combat batteries which also includes batteries for the SST4/SUT torpedoes.

Saft has implemented the first phase of its licensing agreement with Sebang Hi-Tech of South Korea for type PB47 reserve Ag-Zn batteries for the SUT heavy weight combat torpedo.

Under the terms of the agreement, Saft is providing the key components to enable Sebang Hi-Tech to manufacture and deliver SUT type combat torpedoes to the South Korean Navy.

The program consist retrofitting existing torpedoes.

Moreover, the PB47 technology has been the fruition of a common development between two French companies, DCN and Saft.

The PB47 battery is certified by Atlas Elektronik to power the propulsion and electronic systems of the SST4/SUT torpedoes.

The battery is activated by a pyrotechnic device, ignited by an external electrical signal.

Saft PB47 batteries are being used successfully by more than five different navies worldwide, especially in Asia, South America and Europe.

In implementing this licensing agreement with Sebang Hi-Tech, Saft is consolidating a long partnership in South Korea that started with the same company in 1992, with a licensing agreement for BSO technology.

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