AEA to fire up computers from command control
04th December 2002
The Fire Control computers will be used by both the Royal Artillery and the Infantry and will allow the rapid and accurate targeting taking into account a wide range of variables such as weather conditions, terrain and even air traffic corridors.
The contract was awarded by MBM Technology, designer and manufacturer of rugged computers including the, Termite LT465.
Under the contract AEA Battery Systems will provide lightweight, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries to power MBM's rugged Termite computers, to be used by forward observation personnel on the battlefield.
The AEA batteries combine market-leading Li-ion cells with intelligent electronics, offering several distinct advantages over other products for high performance military and aerospace applications. These include:
- Reduced weight and size
- High energy density
- Effective operation in temperatures ranging from – 51°C to + 75°C
- Rugged construction
- Optimum battery management through battery capacity indicator and warning functions
The first batteries will be delivered late in 2002, with the Termite (LT465) computers going into service in 2003. To date the Army has ordered around 700 LT465s, each of which will be fielded with a supply of five batteries.
AEA's batteries are already widely used by armed forces in the UK and abroad. The company was recently appointed sole supplier of batteries and chargers for the UK MoD's Bowman project.
"Volume, weight and the ability to operate in extreme temperatures were the criteria when choosing a power supply option for a small but rugged computer like the Termite,” says Peter Davis, General Manager of MBM Rugged Systems. "AEA Battery Systems' lithium-ion technology delivers all of these."
"Once again we have illustrated the benefits of our power supply solution for modern defence applications,” says Dave Loughborough, Managing Director of AEA Battery Systems. "The Bowman contract showed the defence industry just what our Lithium-ion technology is capable of. This latest contract from MBM is one more step towards our goal of becoming the power behind the new digitised battlefield."
--Ends--
Notes to Editors
AEA Battery Systems
AEA Battery Systems is a world-leading battery technology supplier, its reputation deriving from the invention of Lithium-ion technology. The company researches, develops, designs and manufactures advanced cells and battery packs for markets which include defence, aerospace, homeland security, telecommunications networks, marine and medical, applications. Incorporating its specialist cell manufacturing Joint Venture Company, AGM Batteries, the company employs 170 people in the UK between sites in Culham, Oxfordshire and Thurso, Caithness.
AEA Battery Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEA Technology plc. AEA Technology plc has core businesses in environment and rail and several portfolios of smaller businesses to which AEA Battery Systems belongs.
MBM Technology Ltd is a defence systems and components supplier to major defence contractors world-wide. It has achieved product leadership in weapons release and arming systems for airborne platforms, rugged computing devices for military applications and interconnection products. It is part of the Emblem Group Ltd, which employs some 180 people in MBM at its Portslade site near Brighton, and a further 50 at Artisan Technologies Corporation in New Jersey, USA. Contact: Steve Northam 01273 425 231 or
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