U.S. Navy battery requirements and development efforts

Abstract

In 1993, a biennial power source survey was carried out to assess the technology gap between state-of-the-art battery performance and mid-to-long term fleet needs. During the survey, four Navy systems requiring battery developments which include sonobuoys, mines, underwater vehicles and torpedos were identified. Power supply inadequacies were found to be caused by a shift in navy focus from deep ocean waters to littoral environments and an increased emphasis on the cost effectiveness of a system in an era of reduced military budgets. This article discusses the recommendations of the power needs survey and summarizes efforts underway to implement them.