As world leader in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry and defense, Saft will add the GCV program to its growing list of military vehicle prototypes for which it has supplied its high power energy storage systems.

The vehicle must meet the Army’s rigorous requirements for a highly survivable platform that can adapt to an evolving operational environment. Comprised of ultra-high-power, high voltage VL 5U cells, the Li-ion energy storage system will support the vehicle’s hybrid electric drive system when it is not relying on traditional carbon-based fuels; an example of an operation that would utilize this technology would be silent watch missions. In addition, the system will provide thermal management and act as a high-power traction motor battery.

The technology development phase of the GCV program is a 24-month program aimed at completing preliminary design reviews in order to begin building prototype systems for the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the program. Saft’s contribution of an ultra high power energy storage system will allow BAE Systems to prove the advantages of Li-ion technology in this hybrid electric vehicle.

“This partnership is a testament to BAE Systems’ support of Saft; our company has also supplied batteries for the Non-Line-of-Site Cannon (NLOS-C) and Manned Ground Vehicles (MGV) for the Army’s FCS program,” said Frank Rosenthal , General Manager of Saft’s Space and Defense Division in Cockeysville, MD.

Visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com