L3Harris Delivers First Lithium-Ion Battery-Powered AUVs for US Navy Submarines.

According to a PR published by L3Harris on November 12, 2024, the company has delivered the first production Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (AUVs) powered by Lithium-ion Passive Propagation Resistant (Li-ion PPR) batteries, certified for deployment aboard U.S. Navy submarines.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

L3Harris introduces game-changing Li-ion battery technology for U.S. Navy AUVs, enabling safer, longer, and more efficient undersea missions. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

L3Harris, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, integrated fault-tolerant Li-ion PPR battery technology into its Iver4 900 AUVs. This cutting-edge battery system, inspired by NASA's spacesuit designs, offers superior performance with twice the endurance of previously approved single-use batteries. These rechargeable batteries provide a scalable, high-energy solution that enhances the mission scope of the Torpedo Tube Launched and Recovered (TTL&R) Iver4 900 AUVs.

Produced by Inventus Power, the Li-ion PPR batteries utilize a modified version of L3Harris’ Battery Management System (BMS), ensuring safe and efficient energy management. The innovative design received approval from the Navy Weapon Systems Explosives Safety Review Board (WSESRB).

Li-ion batteries have become the preferred energy solution for high-performance applications due to their superior energy density, longevity, and stability. These attributes enable the Iver4 900 AUVs to execute multiple sorties with minimal logistical impact, maximizing operational readiness. The batteries’ extended life cycle—lasting 8-10 years compared to the typical 3-5 years of other battery types—ensures sustained performance in demanding operational environments.

The capability to recover AUVs into underway submarines provides a tactical advantage, enabling host submarines to remain concealed while deploying unmanned systems for reconnaissance and mission-critical tasks. The recovered AUVs deliver high-fidelity data for navigational planning and decision-making, enhancing manned-unmanned teaming operations.

The delivery of Li-ion PPR battery-powered AUVs aligns with the U.S. Navy’s focus on unmanned platforms and distributed maritime operations. As highlighted by Dan Packer, AUKUS Director for the Navy’s Submarine Force, these advanced systems preserve a submarine’s ordnance capacity while enabling covert undersea operations. The reduced footprint of rechargeable batteries further supports the Navy’s goal of integrating unmanned systems with traditional submarine capabilities.

In 2023, L3Harris achieved a significant milestone by demonstrating the first fully autonomous, repeatable launch and recovery of an AUV from an underway submarine. This capability has been instrumental in developing hybrid operational concepts, blending manned and unmanned platforms to address evolving maritime threats.

Iver4 900 AUV

The Iver4 900 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), developed by L3Harris, is engineered for a range of commercial and defense applications, including long-range surveys, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and mine countermeasures. Constructed with titanium and carbon fiber, the vehicle measures 2.5 meters in length and has a 9-inch diameter, allowing it to operate at depths up to 300 meters.

The AUV's propulsion system features a brushless DC motor paired with a three-blade stainless steel propeller, enabling transit speeds over 3 knots and sprint speeds exceeding 5 knots. For navigation, it utilizes GPS with WAAS correction for surface positioning and combines a Nortek Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) based on the iXBlue PHINS Compact C3 fiber-optic gyroscope for subsurface operations.