Better Batteries Set Unordered

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Better Batteries Set Unordered
January 07, 2009
Army News Service|by Edric Thompson

FORT MONMOUTH, N.J. - The Army's newest batteries are lighter, last longer and are setting unordered because Soldiers don't know about them, according to officials at the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center.

"We've found that many units are still ordering the older technology because they aren't aware of the improved capabilities of the newer models," said Rafael A. Casanova, team leader, Battery Support Team at CERDEC's Army Power Division. "In many cases, those ordering the batteries look at the prices by the national stock numbers and don't realize that while the newer technology may cost a little more per unit, it's a better buy in the long run."

The BA-5390 disposable and the BB-2590 rechargeable batteries are significantly lighter and have more capacity than their predecessors. Both batteries can be used in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or C4ISR systems such as the SINCGARS and SATCOM/HF radios and the M-22 ACADA sensor.

The BA-5390 disposable battery (NSN 6135-01-517-6060) weighs 3 pounds and has 60 percent more capacity than the BA-5590, a battery many units are still ordering.

"It would take seven BA-5590 disposable batteries to support a SINCGARS ASIP Radio during a seven-day mission," said Casanova. "However, the same mission could be accomplished with three BA-5390 disposable batteries, thus reducing the Soldier's weight by 6.7 pounds and reducing the overall cost by 60 percent."


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/army-news/better-batteries-set-unordered.html?col=1186032369115