Saft signs DCNS torpedo electrochemical stacks contract

French shipyard group DCNS has awarded a contract to battery manufacturer Saft for the delivery of seawater-activated AgO-Al torpedo electrochemical stacks.

As part of the contract, Saft will supply silver oxide-aluminium (AgO-Al) electrochemical stacks for F21 torpedoes.

Saft Space & Defence Specialty Battery Group director Serge Fouilhaux said: "Silver oxide-aluminium electrochemical stacks are unique to Saft and offer unrivalled performance, reliability and safety for torpedo applications."

The high-density AgO-Al electrochemical stack reportedly provides a high-energy source to the F21, which enables it to reach a high maximum speed over an extended range.

Developed in collaboration with DCNS, the AgO-Al battery technology is aimed at propelling the torpedo to varying depths, without any degradation, while delivering twice as much energy and power as conventional silver-zinc batteries for the equivalent mass and volume.

The anti-submarine and anti-ship F21, with green and blue water capabilities, offers a range in excess of 50km, as well as a maximum speed of more than 90km/h.

In addition, Saft delivers rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries to DCNS for unarmed exercise torpedoes.

Unlike the single-use AgO-Al batteries, the Li-ion batteries are recharged as soon as the torpedo is recovered upon firing, offering cost-effective power for training exercises.