Arotech Receives CECOM Contract

Arotech Corp.’s battery and power systems division has received a research and development contract from the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM). The 3-phase program will focus on developing a fourth-generation electric fuel zinc air cell for use in military batteries.

The battery pack will be 12V or 24V and have a total capacity of approximately 400Wh. Battery energy density will be above 300Wh/kg. The second and third phases of the program are optional.

The research program is aimed at the Future Force Warrior project, the U.S. Army’s flagship science and technology initiative to develop and demonstrate revolutionary capabilities for Future Force soldier systems.

The third generation cells now in production for the electric fuel BA-8180/U military zinc air battery are mono-cells (single air cathode) with plastic casing encapsulating the anodic zinc reactant. The new fourth generation bi-cell (dual air cathode) will use a folded air cathode without plastic casing material, increasing the respective energy density. The power density is expected to double.