AEA Technology Appointed Sole Supplier For All Batteries And Chargers

AEA Technology has been appointed sole supplier and has agreed a contract in the region of £47 million to advise on all portable power systems requirements as well as to supply the batteries and chargers for the Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Bowman battlefield communications systems programme. The £47 million package price, the majority of which will go to AEA Technology, includes the initial spares. The contract, which covers a four year supply period, has been awarded by the MoD's prime contractor for the Bowman programme, General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited.

Dave Loughborough Manager of the most modern and up to date battery plant in Europe plant said "This is world beating technology and it establishes our credibility."   "In the medium term it is likely that the plant will increase employment from 120 to nearer 200 staff"  The technology has many application beyond the military where high reliability to operate under extreme conditions is required for example in space or underwater.  But there are also many civilian applications such communications equipment for police, ambulance and fire brigades.  Medical applications also require high levels of reliability."

AEA Technology can supply very advanced battery technology, packaged into intelligent systems specifically suited to customers’ requirements and enabling them to make their products world beating.

AEA Technology At Thurso

Medical equipment has to be completely dependable as well as being compact for ease of use and transportation. In addition it must be able to perform fully wherever and whenever it is needed. Lithium-ion batteries with their high power to weight ratio are the ideal battery type for this equipment. The Kaizen cell offers the emergency services lightweight, compact power with reliable performance essential for the communications equipment they use.

In the marine market, in particular the sub-sea environment which is extremely hostile, equipment has to operate autonomously for long periods of time and totally reliably. Size is also a key factor. Again, the Kaizen, with its high energy density and reliability proven from widespread land based application, is the ideal battery type for this equipment. The Kaizen battery has already been used in the growing market for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for which its high performance and rugged construction have made it particularly suitable.

The use of Lithium Ion batteries is best exploited in the space sector where the combination of low mass, low volume, high specific energy, high energy density and high thermal efficiency specifically address the market needs.

The Kaizen cells will be manufactured at AGM Batteries which is based at AEA Battery Systems state-of-the-art factory in Thurso, Scotland. AGM Batteries is owned by AEA Technology [61%], Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd [22%] and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation [17%]. AEA Technology provides the technological expertise, Japan Storage the production technology expertise and Mitsubishi Materials the materials expertise. The chargers will be manufactured at a new facility that may be built in Scotland subject to negotiations with agencies about funding.

During the period of the contract, up to 140,000 battery packs, using AEA Technology's state-of-the-art Lithium-ion Kaizen cells, and 10,000 chargers will be supplied. They will enable portable radios, handheld computers and encryption devices to last longer between charges and function in extreme environments while weighing substantially less - all super-critical factors in today's battlefield conditions.

Advanced battery technology invented in the UK is to be used by British soldiers on battlefields around the world.  The technology will better equip troops to fight in the most rugged and hostile places known to man.

The batteries could also soon be used in maritime and space applications – in fact, wherever extreme conditions demand a toughness and durability not delivered by current battery systems.

Thanks to the technology, British soldiers will be carrying lighter and tougher communications equipment, powered by longer-lasting and more reliable batteries – crucial in modern warfare.

The batteries are the brainchild of science and engineering company AEA Technology, and are produced in their factory in Scotland. They are a much-enhanced extension of the Lithium-ion technology originally patented by AEA Technology and now used in nearly every mobile phone.

The current UK military battlefield communications system, Clansman, relies on traditional Nickel Cadmium batteries which have do not have the same advanced performance characteristics. The Kaizen cell, which will be used in the Bowman system, will enable portable radios, handheld computers and encryption devices to last longer and function in extreme environments while weighing substantially less – all critical factors in modern battlefield conditions.

For military forces to operate successfully in hostile unfamiliar terrain, often in small units and effectively isolated from others, the importance of secure and reliable communication as well as accurate location position is critical. The Kaizen Cell meets the requirements of modern warfare.

It operates at full performance in the most adverse conditions (+75 degrees centigrade and – 51 degrees centigrade). The cell has been designed specifically to meet the extreme requirements of rugged applications and thanks to its hermetic sealing and no memory effect, even after periods of inactivity, it will still deliver full performance.

The temperature performance of the Cell will end the practice of “shirt stuffing” whereby the existing Nickel Cadmium battery is carried next to the skin in an attempt to keep it warm. In addition, the Kaizen Cell is one third the weight and one third the size of those currently used by the British military man pack radio, reducing the pack weight of the soldier and improving his ability to perform covertly. Overall the key advantage offered by the battery to the military is to create ‘less stress for tired soldiers’ by creating a battery that soldiers can have confidence will work regardless of the conditions.

The benefits to customers, both military and non military, of the Kaizen cell is its reliability, increased performance and life cycle which means customers will have to buy fewer cells, giving a tremendous cost benefit. It has a cycle life in excess of 1200 charge and discharge cycles. This is typically three to four times better than that of other currently available cells.

The current UK military battlefield communications system, Clansman, relies on traditional Nickel Cadmium batteries which have do not have the same advanced performance characteristics. The Kaizen cell, which will be used in the Bowman system, will enable portable radios, handheld computers and encryption devices to last longer and function in extreme environments while weighing substantially less – all critical factors in modern battlefield conditions.

For military forces to operate successfully in hostile unfamiliar terrain, often in small units and effectively isolated from others, the importance of secure and reliable communication as well as accurate location position is critical. The Kaizen Cell meets the requirements of modern warfare.

It operates at full performance in the most adverse conditions (+75 degrees centigrade and – 51 degrees centigrade). The cell has been designed specifically to meet the extreme requirements of rugged applications and thanks to its hermetic sealing and no memory effect, even after periods of inactivity, it will still deliver full performance.

The temperature performance of the Cell will end the practice of “shirt stuffing” whereby the existing Nickel Cadmium battery is carried next to the skin in an attempt to keep it warm. In addition, the Kaizen Cell is one third the weight and one third the size of those currently used by the British military manpack radio, reducing the pack weight of the soldier and improving his ability to perform covertly. Overall the key advantage offered by the battery to the military is to create ‘less stress for tired soldiers’ by creating a battery that soldiers can have confidence will work regardless of the conditions.

The benefits to customers, both military and non military, of the Kaizen cell is its reliability, increased performance and life cycle which means customers will have to buy fewer cells, giving a tremendous cost benefit. It has a cycle life in excess of 1200 charge and discharge cycles. This is typically three to four times better than that of other currently available cells.

Intelligent cells

The batteries have “intelligent” power cells, which can be recharged to full power up to four times more than normal. They can also operate in extremes of temperature, ranging from –51 degrees centigrade to +75 degrees centigrade.

Because of these qualities, AEA Technology has been appointed sole supplier and won an initial £47 million contract both to advise on power systems requirements and to supply the batteries and chargers for the Ministry of Defence's (MoD’s) Bowman battlefield communications systems programme, the next generation communications system for the UK military.

The batteries are one third the size and weight of current technology, and will power the military’s portable radios, handheld computers, Global Positioning Systems and encryption devices.

Space and maritime applications

The technology, initially invented and produced to power electric vehicles, has proved to have world-beating qualities, and could soon also be used in medical, emergency service, maritime and space applications.

One of the other great advantages of the battery technology is that it enables the battery cells to be designed to fit unusual shapes – enabling a far greater range of possibilities for equipment designers and manufacturers.

The MoD contract, which covers a four-year period, has been awarded by the MoD’s preferred supplier for the Bowman programme, General Dynamics.

The centrepiece of the contract is AEA Technology’s revolutionary Kaizen cell which was launched in September 2001 at the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition in London. It immediately attracted international attention and has since triggered strong interest from military and non-military market sectors.

Market opportunity

AEA Technology is now targeting several sectors within the £2.5 billion a year market for Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.

While the majority of the market currently comprises mobiles and laptop computers, AEA Technology is now targeting and starting to penetrate higher value-added market segments where customers need to have absolute faith in their batteries and power systems.

Commenting on the contract win, Jerry Stokes, Sales and Marketing Director of AEA Battery Systems, said:
“Thanks to this technology, British soldiers will be carrying lighter and tougher communications equipment, powered by longer-lasting and more reliable batteries – crucial in modern warfare.”

The importance of the Kaizen cell
AEA Technology’s Kaizen cell is backed up by Japanese commitment to quality and reliability through the British company’s long-standing and close collaboration with its Japanese joint venture partners in AGM Batteries. AGM Batteries, which manufactures the Kaizen cells, is a partnership between AEA Technology and two Japanese companies, Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.

While AEA Technology provides extensive expertise in cell and battery design, Japan Storage has particular skills in manufacturing and Mitsubishi Materials provides strong materials knowledge. Based in Thurso, Scotland, AEA’s Battery Systems unit employs 120 people and is led by AEA Technology Board Director Andrew McCree.

AEA Technology
AEA Technology is a technology and consultancy-based business which has built on its UK public sector strength to develop increasingly in the UK private sector and abroad. It focuses on two growth markets, Rail and Environment, to which it provides customers with a portfolio of advanced technology consultancy, products and services. In addition, AEA Technology has a portfolio of smaller businesses, among which is AEA Battery Systems.

AEA Battery Systems