Italy’s next-generation U212 NFS submarine will be equipped with an advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery system. This information was published by OCCAR on January 25, 2024.
OCCAR press release
Taranto, January 24, 2024 – The 6th The Program Committee meeting was held at the Taranto Military Shipyard and was attended by OCCAR-EA Director Joachim Sakka and Program Committee Representative Lieutenant General Giuseppe Abbamonte (IT) for scheduled regular updates. All key stakeholders came together. To determine significant progress.
One of the main focuses of the meeting was towards an important step toward introducing cutting-edge lithium battery systems on submarines. The prototype of the LBS component passed the relevant performance and safety test packs, marking a milestone on the technological path for in-vehicle implementation.
The lithium decision reflects a strategic move towards the adoption of more advanced and sustainable power storage solutions, prepared for deployment in a wider range of underwater and surface naval scenarios.
The test results of the lithium battery system envisaged increasing the operational efficiency of submarines, while increasing propulsion and endurance, reducing maintenance and providing the highest level of safety on board.
This technological leap underscores Italy’s commitment to investing in advanced technology and positioning itself at the forefront of maritime defense capabilities.
Another important aspect covered during the conference was the presentation of the NFS 4 optional package activation roadmap. This brings the total number of boats to her four and provides logistical and in-service support.
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Navy News Comments:
The new underwater airborne independent propulsion (AIP) platform for the Italian Navy is being built by the U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) program team managed by OCCAR on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Defence’s Naval Armament Directorate (NAVARM) and will A large domestic industry team is participating along with the agency. The international supplier will use lithium-ion battery systems (LBS) developed and supplied by Italian industry.
The announcement by OCCAR came after “prototypes of state-of-the-art LBS components passed relevant performance and safety test packs, marking a milestone on the technological path towards implementation on board ships.”
Speaking during the 2023 Naval Leadership Coalition Naval Event in Farnborough, U212 NFS Program Team Leader, Admiral Maurizio Cannarozzo said: Said navy news The decision on the adoption of LBS by the U212 NFS platform was also taken on the same timeline, with significant technological developments and operational capabilities being adopted by the Italian Navy, confirming the program’s position at the forefront of maritime defense capabilities.
The decision was taken after a rigorous and long-term program dating back to the “far-sea” research and development (R&D) program launched by the Italian Ministry of Defence, NAVARM, in 2009. The program was co-founded and part of the Italian Ministry of Defense and the National Industrial Team. of the National Military Research Program (PNRM, Program Nazionale della Ricerca Militare). The latter and its subsequent evolution are fully and continuously supported by the Navy’s submarine team NAVARM and the Italian Ministry of Defence, and the U212NFS program is guaranteed by the Italian Ministry of Enterprise and the Ministry of Made in Italy, named today is funded by. The initial industrial team has since evolved and now includes Seri Industrial Group’s FIB-FAAM company, Power4Future (P4F), a joint venture between Fincantieri SI and Faist Electronics, Fincantieri’s Cetena, and the TÜV Rheinland certification body . The LBS includes both a battery management system and a LiFePO4 battery module.
navy news The company understands that this milestone will move the program office and industry teams into subsequent prototyping and pre-production stages, paving the way for production and installation on U212 NFS submarines. Naval News understands that the new generation energy storage system will be introduced starting with the entry-level boats, which are expected to be delivered in early 2028. In addition to the U212 NFS platform, LBS has been developed to be compliant and compatible with current U212A boats, allowing for easy adoption of new technologies even after in-service boats become eligible for Mid-Life Update (MLU). You can switch. .