AEA’s New Cell Delivers 20% Improvement in Battery Performance for Today’s Soldier
09th September 2003
AEA Battery Systems develops a new customised high capacity rechargeable cell to provide portable power for a 24-hour-mission-life HF radio.
AEA Battery Systems announces today the launch of its new high capacity Lithium-ion secondary (rechargeable) cell. Developed specifically for a 24-hour-mission-life HF (high frequency) radio the cell offers military users a distinct advantage in combat. The maximum previously was only 20 hours.
The new cell, called 'Chikara' after the Japanese word for power, demonstrates AEA's latest step forward in developing new battery technology for the battlefield. Delivering higher capacity, durability and greater reliability for the hostile military environments in which it is deployed, soldiers can now have more confidence than ever before that their equipment won't let them down.
AEA recognises that power supply has become a significant, battle-winning factor in modern warfare and that the rapid development of modern military technology continues to increase the demand placed on battlefield power supplies. AEA can now deliver the necessary portable power supply to ensure that soldiers have the power to win.
David Loughborough, Managing Director of AEA Battery Systems, said:
"The new 'Chikara' cell provides a 24-hour-mission-life which is a significant improvement over that previously attainable. For the soldier in the field it could mean the difference between success and failure or even life and death. Similarly the potential to extend mission life opens up a wider range of options for commanders in the deployment of resources on the battlefield.
'Chikara' is an exciting new development for AEA Battery Systems and our customers and is a further addition to our range of new products now entering full scale production at our state of the art facilities in northern Scotland."
The new customised cell has been designed specifically for military man pack radios. It was, like all AEA products, specially developed through close partnership with customers to ensure that solutions are developed to meet their requirements and the needs of modern armed forces.
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Further Information
For more information please contact:
Benedict Payne/Phil Brady, Good Relations,
Catriona Watson, AEA Battery Systems,
Notes to Editors
The Chikara Cell (Chikara - Japanese for power)
The Chikara cell makes use of AEA Battery System's advanced Lithium-ion cell technology. It offers the following features in addition to its unique high energy density including:
- long life - 1200 charge and discharge cycles
- small and light weight
- more energy
- the ability to perform in extreme temperatures, ranging from -40deg.C to +70deg.C
- no memory effect
- exclusive rugged construction
For customers this means a lighter, high performance and more reliable rechargeable product. It will offer a viable replacement for primary batteries due to its comparable (high) capacity, wide operating temperature range, and the whole-life cost savings which its long life brings. These cells are light years ahead of battery chemistries such as NiCd which are currently in use.
AEA's batteries are already widely used by armed forces both in the UK and abroad. The company was recently appointed sole supplier of batteries and chargers, and advisor to the UK MoD's BOWMAN project.
The BOWMAN range and the new Chikara cell are part of AEA Battery System's ongoing development of the next generation of portable power solutions for today's military.
With research into new materials, shapes, sizes and cell chemistries, AEA is leading the development of the portable power systems demanded by the next generation of military hardware. The Chikara cell is the natural successor to AEA Battery System's Kaizen cell, the current leader in high energy density rechargeable cells.
This includes technology being developed for application in current soldier modernisation programmes such as the Land Warrior and the FIST programmes in the US and the UK respectively.
Called 'Chikara' after the Japanese word for power, the new cell, was named in recognition of our Japanese partners Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.
AEA Battery Systems
AEA Battery Systems is a world-leading battery technology supplier. AEA's reputation derives from the Lithium-ion materials technology, which it originally patented. The company researches, designs, develops and manufactures advanced cells and battery packs for highly demanding markets including defence, aerospace, marine and medical. It has a specialist cell manufacturing Joint Venture Company, AGM Batteries Ltd, which uses the manufacturing and materials expertise of its partners - Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation to produce world leading products. The company employs 183 people in the UK between sites in Thurso, Glengarnock and Culham.
AEA Battery Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEA Technology plc. AEA Technology plc has core businesses in environment and rail and a portfolio of development businesses to which AEA Battery Systems belongs.
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