SAFT - Primary and Rechargeable Batteries

Saft designs and manufactures a wide range of primary and rechargeable battery technologies for underwater warfare, surface ships and weapon systems. Saft’s application engineers will support you in selecting technology which best suits your needs.

Multi-technology battery manufacturer

Saft supplies both primary and rechargeable batteries for marine applications. Primary battery technologies used include LO,G series (Li-SO2) and LM series (Li-MnO2). Rechargeable battery technologies used include Ag-Zn, Ni-Cd and Li-ion

These batteries use both proven and innovative technologies for exceptional performance tailored to specific needs. Saft can provide the most suitable and latest cells and battery packs, in a wide range of capacities.

Surface ships

Today, Saft supplies large stationary batteries (Ni-Cd batteries) to back-up the primary power supply for warships and command headquarters.

As demand for power on board surface ships is rising. for new equipment such as advanced sensors, electromagnetic launch and laser weapon systems, higher energy and power density technology can bring significant advantages in speed, manoeuvrability, increase storage times, and reduced space.

Electrical activation for some applications (e.g. rudders) that do not require permanent power can be powered by delocalized battery systems attached to it to give the necessary power when necessary.

Submarines

Saft also offers Li-ion solutions for submarines by providing energy storage systems with high energy and power density with no environmental impact and minimal maintenance. For instance, Saft supplies Li-ion batteries to serve as a high power stored energy system for an external electric actuator designed to operate submarine steering and diving planes. Lithium-ion brings dramatic improvement in submarines’ tactical mobility in combat situation.

Saft’s naval module solution is based on a design-for-safety approach in order to be fully compliant with all naval safety regulations requirements. The naval module response to specific requirements such as mechanical stress, heat distribution in normal mode and heat and peaks pressure in failure mode. It also includes a battery management system to prevent overcharge, short circuit and over heating.

Underwater vehicles

Saft also designs and manufactures complete battery systems to meet the growing expectations and interests of users’ community for operating efficient unmanned / autonomous underwater vehicles with various missions:

• Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
• Mine countermeasures (MCM)
• Anti-Submarines Warfare (ASW)
• Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA)
• Pipe inspection, Subsea cable industry)
• Underwater survey / Inspection/repair/maintenance
• Scientific missions such as Oceanography, archaeology

Saft is also using its expertise and battery solutions for the supply of high energy density batteries for special forces equipment such as swimmer delivery vehicles (US Navy SEAL).

Underwater warfare – torpedo batteries

Saft is the world's leading designer and supplier of batteries for electric torpedoes both lightweight and heavyweight (combat/exercise). Saft has developed battery products with the largest variety of electrochemistries including:

• Sea water activated (AgCl-Mg)
• Silver-zinc (Ag-Zn)
• Silver-oxide aluminium (AgO-Al)
• Lithium-ion

Saft is qualified as a supplier for all western electric-powered torpedoes.

Saft is the world leader for electrical propulsion of torpedo. Around 30 Navies around the world (e.g France, UK, Germany) are using Saft batteries for heavy weight torpedo (Blackshark / IF21, SST4/SUT) torpedo as well as for light weight torpedoes (MU90, A244 etc).

Batteries for sea mines

Battery technology is critical both to underwater mines and mine detection. Mine batteries are installed in non-magnetic containers so they will not affect the weapon electronics. Naval divers, who rely on batteries for lamps and to power detection equipment, also use non-magnetic containers so they do not trigger the device.

Saft offers a range of high-capacity, non-magnetic cells (LS/LSG/LST, LSH, LO/G, LM/M).