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Kokam has conducted ballistic tests on battery cells using its unique Lithium Ion NANO battery technology and determined that even when these cells are shot they do not experience thermal runaway.
The tests demonstrate the suitability of Kokam’s NANO battery technology for the defense industry. The extremely safe and reliable battery solutions are able to withstand temperatures ranging from -40 to 60 degrees Celsius for applications including unmanned systems, armed fighting vehicles, support vehicles, submarines and other demanding military applications.
Kokam created the exceptionally stable NANO battery technology by integrating three different lithium-ion battery chemistries —Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC), Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)—into a single battery. By combining the advantages of these three battery chemistries, NANO battery solutions are able to deliver industry-leading levels of reliability in highly volatile environments, while also discharging at a 10 C-rate (Continuous) / 15 C-rate (Pulse) and charging at a 5 C-rate (Continuous) / 14 C-rate (Pulse). In addition to supporting or supplementing diesel and other engines, the NANO battery can also replace or be used instead of these engines, providing a silent energy source for sensitive defense missions.
“For military applications, battery safety and reliability is essential — on the battlefield, you can’t just pull your armed fighting vehicle into the local gas station and ask them to replace the battery if it fails,” said Ike Hong, vice president of Kokam’s Power Solutions Division. “With our NANO technology Kokam meets this need, providing the defense industry with an exceptionally stable, rugged and long-lasting battery solution that can withstand extreme environmental conditions.”
In addition to its NANO battery solutions, Kokam also offers the defense industry Ultra High Power Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) and Ultra High Energy NMC battery solutions. Kokam’s Ultra High Power NMC battery solutions have an industry-leading C-rate of 100, which enables them to discharge very large amounts of power very quickly, making them well suited for advanced weapon systems and other high power military applications. Its Ultra High Energy NMC battery solutions have an industry leading energy density of more than 260 watt hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), enabling manufacturers to pack more energy into their defense systems — allowing them to extend the operating times of military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones, Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and other defense systems without increasing the weight or size of these systems’ batteries.
Kokam’s Lithium Polymer batteries were first used for military applications in 2004. Current leading international defense contractors and Ministries of Defense are using Kokam’s battery solutions for a wide variety of military applications, due to their superior reliability, thermal performance, low resistance, and long cycle lives.
In particular, many customers are considering Kokam’s NANO battery solutions for submarine applications, where stealth and combat maneuverability are essential. In addition to using Kokam’s NANO batteries for new submarines, customers could replace old batteries in their submarines with Kokam NANO batteries, improving the reliability, life and performance of these submarines’ batteries.
Kokam offers military battery solutions in capacities ranging from less than 1 watt hours (Wh) to 40 megawatt hours (MWh) or more. Its batteries can be purchased as individual cells, in packs or as complete systems. Easily integrated into manufacturers’ existing defense systems, Kokam can also customize the size of a cell, pack or system upon request.
Kokam will showcase its battery solutions for military applications at Eurosatory 2016 Booth Hall 5 – H847.
