SAFT : Lithium-ion batteries are reshaping how we power military vehicles

Tampa, FL, May 18, 2016 - Saft, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech batteries for the space and defence industries, will showcase its Xcelion 6T™ battery at the 2016 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) from May 23-26, 2016 in Tampa. Launched a year ago, Saft's lithium-ion (Li-ion) drop-in replacement of lead-acid batteries are ideal cost-savers for the military industry that uses more than 700,000 lead-acid batteries per year.

Saft's Xcelion 6T™ Li-ion technology delivers the equivalent power of two lead-acid batteries at a quarter of the weight and half the volume. The battery's cost-saving design aligns with the military's shift away from the frontline. It is necessary to support the increasing need for a power system that can handle the overabundance of developing sensors and communication systems installed in today's military vehicles.

'Our new technology creates tangible cost savings for the military,' said Annie Sennet, Executive Vice President of Saft's Space & Defence division. 'Saft batteries provide the reliability necessary for crucial missions and enhance capabilities of military vehicles, including supporting extended silent watch operations.'

With Saft's long-life technology, fewer replacement batteries are required. The real-time diagnostics eliminates the need to carry numerous spares. The significant power density and energy efficiency of the Xcelion 6T™ help streamline logistics as there are fewer items requiring storage, transportation and distribution.

'This reduction in replacement batteries translates to over $200 million in cost savings for a fleet of 20,000 vehicles over a 20-year life. This is the kind of technology that contributes to the innovation found at SOFIC, and we are looking forward to showing defence leaders how it can transform the way they power their vehicles,' said Annie Sennet.

SOFIC is one of the defence industry's premier events, gathering top military leaders from partner nations, government, academia and industry. This year's conference will be held at the Tampa Convention Center, focusing on 'Evolving the Network to Counter Emerging Threats.'

Saft's display will be located at booth 108 and the presentation on Xcelion 6T™ will be on May 24 at 1:00 pm.