Application of Lithium Thionyl Chloride Batteries to Marine Requirements

Requirements for undersea systems applications have, over the past several years, forced rapid advances in lithium battery state-of-the-art. Recent technological improvements have provided safe, reliable batteries that have proven to be highly tolerant to the abusive undersea environment. Cell developments have been directed towards small cells for low, medium, and high rate applications; large low rate cells; and reserve electrolyte cells for very high rate applications such as for torpedo propulsion. The immediate goals for the further advancement of lithium battery development are: (1) cost reduction through improved manufacturing and material processing technology, and (2) expansion of the spectrum of available cell sizes and discharge rates to meet the needs of the future.