Reserve, Remotely Activated Battery for Missile Guidance Set for Minuteman III ICBM

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Renewable Energy Generation and Storage The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Applicants must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Applicants are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this effort is to develop a Reserve, Remotely Activated Lithium or Silver Zinc battery capable of providing power to the Missile Guidance Set on the Minuteman III ICBM, where fast activation and high energy is required. Demonstrated performance under simulated ICBM environments. DESCRIPTION: Reserve batteries serve a specialized purpose, they require fast electrolyte introduction and cathode wetting, but provide unsurpassed shelf-life since many of the reactions that lead to self-discharge cannot occur, due to the isolation of electrolyte from other active components. However, reserve battery electrical performance can suffer from poor or slow cathode wetting. Additionally, the overall battery energy density is lower than non-reserve batteries due to the extra volume required for electrolyte and physical electrode separation. Reserve, Remotely Activated Lithium or Silver Zinc technology is of particular interest as they can meet the fast activation time and high energy density requirements of the current Missile Guidance Set, while providing high quality/reliable manufacturing. The anticipated advantage of Reserve, Remotely Activated Lithium or Silver Zinc battery technology advancements would be improved manufacturing capability, reliable design, and repeatable manufacture. This would provide improved lot to lot reliability and may lead to reduction in cost of future design and manufacture. Areas of research should include electrolyte storage and delivery, residual pressure retention, remote activation, backflow and pressure relief, chemistry specific safety, cell material wicking and wetting improvements, and the repeatable manufacture of such components and battery characteristics. In addition, the ability to develop and integrate prototypes for field experiments and/or tests in a simulated environment for the Missile Guidance Set, at a minimum. The results of this effort are proof of technological feasibility and assessment of subsystem and component operability and producibility. The Technology Readiness Level of this Reserve, Remotely Activated Lithium or Silver Zinc Reserve battery technology should begin at 5 or higher. At the conclusion of this effort, this Reserve, Remotely Activated Lithium or Silver Zinc Reserve battery technology should lead to subsequent development or procurement phases, or at a minimum have the goal of moving out of Science and Technology (S&T) and into the acquisition process within the future years defense program (FYDP). PHASE I: This is a D2P2 topic, and as such, there will be no Phase I awards. "Phase I-type" feasibility documentation should be provided that demonstrates reliable and repeatable remote activation, electrolyte delivery, and wetting in in either Lithium or Silver Zinc Battery Chemistries as it pertains to electrical performance. Documentation should consist of reports, data (experimental or otherwise), and any prototype testing that has been successfully completed. PHASE II: Demonstrate significant improvements in battery and key performance parameters (battery capacity, internal leakage, rate capability, remote activation, shelf life, etc.) and how they are improved by innovative delivery methods and configuration. Demonstrate compatibility of the chosen process technology with volume manufacture. Demonstrate integration of the metric-enhanced battery with the Missile Guidance Set product target. Provide cost projection data to substantiate the design, performance, operational range, acquisition, and life cycle costs. Produce and provide repeatable quality Reserve, Remotely Activated Lithium or Silver Zinc batteries for system level test and evaluation. Refine transition plan and business case analysis. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III efforts will focus on demonstration of large volume manufacturability of either Reserve, Remotely Activated Lithium or Silver Zinc Battery Chemistries, associated battery capacity, and performance goals. If successful, further work could include transitioning the proven and developed technology to the MMIII ICBM system, potentially the Missile Guidance Set. Commercial applications include emergency power and other non-power long storage life applications. Military applications include aerospace and naval emergency power. The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the ITAR, 22 C.F.R. Parts 120 - 130 or the EAR, 15 C.F.R. Parts 710 - 774. REFERENCES: 1. 1. D. Linden and T.B. Reddy, eds., Handbook of Batteries, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2002. 2. Y. Li, H. Zhan, S. Liu, K. Huang, and Y. Zhao, J. Power Sources, Vol. 195, p. 2945, 2010. KEYWORDS: Lithium Battery; Shelf Life; Silver Zinc Battery; Remotely Activated; Reserve Battery; ICBM Power