Nexter Arquus Thales and DGA present EBMR Griffon integrating Lithium-ion batteries into French Army Scorpion programme.

The GME (Temporary grouping of companies) EBMR (composed of Nexter, Arquus and Thales) and the DGA jointly presented the results of the risk removal study on the integration of lithium-ion batteries in vehicles military in the presence of all project stakeholders and representatives of the technical section of the Army (STAT), the operational energy service (SEO) and the Integrated Structure of the maintenance in operational condition of land equipment (SIMMT).
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EBMR Griffon (Picture source: Army Recognition)

On June 16, organized on Nexter’s site in Satory, staged a Griffon EPC vehicle equipped with lithium-ion batteries. The Griffon EPC (Engin Poste de Commandement) was also equipped with a display dedicated to the presentation, which displayed the autonomy remaining vehicle on standby with the combustion engine off or the time remaining before full recharging when the combustion engine is started. This screen made it possible to highlight the multiplication by 2 or even 3 times the standby time allowed by lithium-ion technology compared to the technology's current acid/lead. These new batteries will be able to power more equipment tomorrow while maintaining current standby time and charging twice as much rapidly.

The study began in early 2019 with the choice of two standard and mature models on the market: the model 6TE from SAFT and the model BT-70939 from Brentronics. A theoretical analysis of the technology Li-ion, as well as an extensive test campaign, was then carried out by Arquus with the laboratory Serma. This analysis enabled Nexter to identify the risks as well as the means to be implemented for safe integration into the vehicle.

Hutchinson presented its know-how on the reduced risk of Li-ion battery fire spreading. Nexter then studied with Arquus and Thales an architecture for the Griffon vehicle. A model and a prototype on Griffon made it possible to test the complete system with the DGA Techniques Terrestres (DGA TT) teams and those of the GME EBMR.

Griffon EPC Command Post (Picture source: Nexter/Arquus/Thales)