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BAE Systems to assess Australian battery for submarines
BAE Systems signed a contract with PMB Defence Engineering to assess its nickel-zinc battery technology for potential integration into the next-generation SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine design.
www.baesystems.com
Australian submarine battery systems company PMB Defence Engineering has entered a contract with BAE Systems in the UK to enable the potential integration of its nickel zinc battery technology into the design of UK and Australia's nuclear-powered submarines, known as SSN-AUKUS. This contract builds on PMB’s work in recent years with the UK Ministry of Defence to test and qualify the nickel zinc technology for its nuclear submarines.
The contract will enable BAE Systems to have visibility of the data needed to support the integration of the nickel zinc battery system into UK submarine designs. Nuclear-powered submarines generate the electricity needed to operate onboard systems using energy from their reactors. This power is also used to charge large batteries to support the operation of equipment and to serve as an independent backup energy source. Nickel zinc battery systems can offer approximately double the energy capacity of traditional lead acid batteries.
UK Ministry of Defence work with PMB
In partnership with BAE Systems, the UK Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is working in collaboration with PMB on the development of a Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) solution to replace the lead-acid (PbAcid) submarine main battery (SMB). Over the past six years, SDA has maintained a series of contracts with PMB to advance this innovative technology.
The primary target platform for the NiZn technology remains the Astute Class submarines. However, as this technology has been identified as the preferred option for the SSN-AUKUS program, the scope of development has been expanded to include support for this application.
PMB continues to serve as the supplier of PbAcid batteries to the Royal Navy, under a separate contract with the SDA. BAE Systems and PMB remain committed to the successful development and implementation of the NiZn SMB technology and will continue to work closely with the SDA to achieve this goal.
www.baesystems.com
The contract will enable BAE Systems to have visibility of the data needed to support the integration of the nickel zinc battery system into UK submarine designs. Nuclear-powered submarines generate the electricity needed to operate onboard systems using energy from their reactors. This power is also used to charge large batteries to support the operation of equipment and to serve as an independent backup energy source. Nickel zinc battery systems can offer approximately double the energy capacity of traditional lead acid batteries.
UK Ministry of Defence work with PMB
In partnership with BAE Systems, the UK Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is working in collaboration with PMB on the development of a Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) solution to replace the lead-acid (PbAcid) submarine main battery (SMB). Over the past six years, SDA has maintained a series of contracts with PMB to advance this innovative technology.
The primary target platform for the NiZn technology remains the Astute Class submarines. However, as this technology has been identified as the preferred option for the SSN-AUKUS program, the scope of development has been expanded to include support for this application.
PMB continues to serve as the supplier of PbAcid batteries to the Royal Navy, under a separate contract with the SDA. BAE Systems and PMB remain committed to the successful development and implementation of the NiZn SMB technology and will continue to work closely with the SDA to achieve this goal.
www.baesystems.com
