Saft to Provide Battery Modules for First Military Hybrid Vehicle Program
Saft was recently awarded a $2 million, multi-year contract, by BAE Systems to design and supply lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery modules for hybrid-electric Future Combat System (FCS) Manned Ground Vehicles (MGVs). Saft's high power Li-ion power modules were selected to meet the MGV program's Battery Module, High Voltage (BMHV) requirement because of their performance and ability to meet objective requirements.
"This is a significant contract award for Saft. The experience and knowledge gained over the past five years supporting earlier Armored Demonstration Vehicles gave us a sound foundation on which to base our proposed program," said Jim Miller, Saft program manager for this High Voltage Battery Module Program. "We are committed to continued support for the Army's FCS program and working closely with BAE Systems."
Saft will supply its VL-V Li-ion battery technology for the NLOS-C vehicle, featuring integrated battery monitoring and status electronics as well as a thermal management system. The battery's ability to withstand extreme temperatures is critical to hybrid military vehicle automotive applications.
"The FCS MGV program is an excellent application to utilize our leading-edge technology for high power hybrid vehicles," said Thomas Alcide, Saft Specialty Battery Group general manager. "Saft has made dramatic technical advances over the past three years with consistent improvement in performance for the very high power Li-ion batteries."
BAE Systems and General Dynamics are teamed to develop and field a family of transportable, deployable, lethal, and survivable MGVs. This next generation of combat vehicles will provide the majority of the firepower in the FCS-equipped Brigade Combat Teams and will be critical nodes in the overarching network that allows future soldiers to more effectively complete their missions. The two companies have integrated design teams working to develop and demonstrate the family of eight manned ground vehicles featuring a common platform design with common components and subsystems, with unique mission modules and all the variants linked together by networked battle command.
