These batteries, designed in partnership with the U.S. Navy and based on NASA spacesuit technology, offer twice the endurance compared to previous single-use batteries. They power the Iver4 900 AUV, which can be launched and recovered through a torpedo tube, allowing multiple sorties while minimizing the storage footprint in the submarine’s torpedo room.
The Li-ion batteries provide enhanced energy density, discharge rates, and longer life, lasting 8-10 years versus the typical 3-5 years of other battery types. Their high stability and reliability make them ideal for time-sensitive and intensive applications, a crucial factor as the Navy focuses increasingly on unmanned platforms requiring robust energy solutions.
L3Harris is also advancing operational concepts in manned-unmanned teaming with the support of these battery-powered AUVs. In 2023, the company was the first to achieve fully autonomous, repeatable launch and recovery of an AUV from a moving submarine, a breakthrough that enhances the submarine’s capability to remain concealed in secure waters while the AUV conducts remote surveys and missions.
Dan Packer, AUKUS Director for the U.S. Navy’s Commander Submarine Force, emphasized that the reduced footprint of rechargeable batteries in the Iver4 900 AUV supports the preservation of submarine ordnance capacity. The returned data from AUV missions aids in tactical navigation and planning, contributing to improved manned-unmanned integration in submarine operations.
The Li-ion batteries developed by L3Harris for these AUVs align with the Navy’s distributed maritime operations strategy, which requires high-capacity, reliable power sources. These advancements allow submarines to incorporate more capabilities for undersea missions, supporting the growing demand for autonomy and energy efficiency in the maritime domain.
Source: L3Harris Technologies.
