Lithium-ion batteries for autonomous underwater vehicles

Lithium-ion batteries provide significant advantages over lead-acid, nickel cadmium and silver zinc chemistries for unmanned underwater vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries with excellent energy densities provide significant benefits in weight, volume and extended mission. Other advantages of the lithium-ion technology include excellent cycle and calendar life with an exceptionally low self-discharge. Hermetically sealed cell assembly combined with protection electronics provides a maintenance free system, improved reliability, no out gassing, excellent performance and safety. This paper highlights Saft lithium-ion advantages over mature chemistries for unmanned underwater applications.