Rechargeable lithium ion batteries provide significant advantages over lead acid, nickel cadmium and silver zinc for unmanned underwater vehicles. The high energy density of lithium ion provides weight and volume savings that increases the run time of the vehicle or provides space that could be used for additional payload. Lithium ion has excellent cycle life and calendar life and exceptionally low self-discharge. Hermetically sealed cell construction and electronic cell balancing and charge control provide maintenance free operation and allow thru-hull charging. The cylindrical cell construction with spiral wound electrodes has proven manufacturability in high volume production. This paper will highlight these advantages over mature chemistries in several autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) applications.
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