Concorde Selected for Helicopter Battery Prototype

Concorde Battery Corp. of West Covina, California, has been chosen by the U.S. Navy to provide an advanced prototype lithium-ion battery for its new CH-53K heavy lift helicopter, reports Aero-News Network. The battery will be a high discharge rate battery designed for APU start and emergency power. Initial prototypes will be tested by the Navy for electrical performance, safety, and abuse tolerance. Following the initial testing, additional samples will be required for qualification testing. Concorde lithium-ion batteries feature a cathode material of lithium iron phosphate, which precludes oxygen generation and prevents fire hazards.