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Saft batteries powering new F21 heavyweight torpedo

by Richard Tomkins Bagnolet, France (UPI) Jun 22, 2013 UPI

F21 heavyweight torpedoes by French naval defense company DCNS are being powered by silver oxide-aluminum electro-chemical battery stacks from Saft.

The silver oxide-aluminum electro-chemical, or AgO-Al, seawater-activated stack delivers the high power needed to propel the torpedo at a top speed of more than 56 miles per hour over a distance of more than 31 miles, Saft said.

It delivers twice as much energy and power as conventional silver-zinc batteries for the same mass and volume.

The F21, which weighs 1.6 tons, is the French Navy's newest torpedo for use against submarines and surface vessels. It uses fiber-optic wire guidance and wake/acoustic homing.

In addition to propelling the weapon, Saft's product will power the torpedo's onboard electronic control and guidance systems.

"This latest contract to supply electro-chemical stacks for the F21 torpedo is further consolidation of Saft's near-30-year relationship with DCNS and cements Saft as the world leader in electric propulsion batteries for heavyweight and lightweight torpedoes," said Serge Fouilhaux, director of Saft's Space & Defense Specialty Battery Group. "Silver oxide-aluminum electro-chemical stacks are unique to Saft and offer unrivalled performance, reliability and safety for torpedo applications."

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