General Atomics of San Diego has supplied lithium-ion batteries to the US Navy for use in mini-submarine prototypes. The mini-subs will be used to transport Navy SEALs in covert combat swim missions.
The contract, worth US$12.5M, was awarded to the battery manufacturer from the Naval Surface Warfare Centre to supply prime power aboard the submersible vehicles.
General Atomics has experience in nuclear and alternative energy, electromagnetic aircraft launch and recovery systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles that rely on battery power.