The Saft Group Wins Major Battery Contract for German Army’s SEM70 Portable Military Radios
08 September 2005 09:48
The German Federal Office of Defence Technology (BWB) has ordered 20,000 fully packaged Friwo primary lithium battery systems to power the German Army’s SEM70 portable military radio sets
Paris, August 29, 2005 – Saft, world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry, has been awarded a contract by the German Federal Office of Defence Technology (BWB) to supply 20,000 primary lithium battery systems from its Friwo brand. They will power the German Army’s SEM70 portable military radio sets. BWB has been sourcing Friwo primary batteries since the 1980s and this latest order consolidates Saft’s position as the leading supplier of primary lithium battery systems to the German military services.
Saft is supplying the primary battery systems for the SEM70 radio sets as ready-to-fit packages, in robust plastic housings complete with resilient socket connections and electronic state-of-charge indicators. Each battery system will comprise six Friwo LM33600 lithium manganese dioxide (LiMnO2) D-size cells connected in series to provide a nominal 18V and 10Ah capacity in a package weighing 750g.
LiMnO2 primary batteries offer a number of advantages for military applications including : high energy, low weight, reduced self-discharge rate – for a long shelf-life in storage, and the ability to operate under extreme conditions such as temperatures ranging from –40°C to +70°C.
The Friwo LM33600 cells are the newest generation of high rate primary lithium cell, and are based on a spiral wound solid state manganese dioxide cathode construction and a lithium foil anode installed into a laser welded stainless steel can. The unique electrolyte is composed of organic solvents, mainly ethers, which are neither toxic nor corrosive.
Saft will supply the SEM70 battery systems over an eight-month contract period, starting in October 2005. They will be manufactured under the Friwo brand by the Saft Group in its high-tech facilities in Büdingen, Hessen, Germany. Saft’s capability to provide local manufacture and supply of the batteries in Germany offers a number of important advantages for BWB including fast, on-time, delivery, increased security of supply and enhanced support services provided by native German-speaking engineers.
For more information on this company:
Saft - Lithium Cells and Battery Packs
Copyright 2007SPG Media Limited a subsidiary of SPG Media Group PLC
