Review of Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (AUV) Developments 
Table 3. Primary Battery Cell Types Currently Available 
Chemistry Cell W-h/kg Notes 
Volt 
Cadmium-Mercuric Oxide 0.9 Long shelf life; sealable 
Cd-HgO 
Calcium-Calcium 3 Long shelf life; high 
Chromate (thermal) voltage; 1s tolh 
Ca-Cacro4 operating life; tolerates 
extreme environments 
Magnesium-Lead Chloride 1.1 Seawater activated: 
Mg-PbC12 torpedoes; emergency 
signaling; sonobuoys 
Magnesium-Manganese 1.8 Transceivers; sonobuoys; 
Dioxide beacons; good temperature 
Mg-Mn0O2 performance 
Magnesium-Silver de 7. Seawater activated 
Chloride 
Mg-AgCl 
Zinc-Air 1.4 440 High capacity 
Zn-O2 
Zinc-Manganese Dioxide 1.5 
(Leclanche) 
Zn-MnO2 
Zinc-Carbon 3 105 Everyday flashlight cell 
Zn-C 
Alkaline 1325 100 
Zn-MnO2 
Mercury Hie 105 
Zn-HgO 
Zinc-Silver Chloride LO Darl Extremely long shelf 
Zn-AgC1l storage; low rate supply 
Zinc-Silver Oxide 1.6/1.8 50 to 200 High energy/high rate: 
(Silver Zinc) torpedo; space; submarine; 
Zn-Ag20 (2) ignition; rocket 
SOURCE: Compilation of data from Bis, R.F., J.A. Barnes, W.V. Zajac, P.B. Davis, and R.M. Murphy, 1986, Safety 
Characteristics of Lithium Primary and Secondary Battery Systems, NSWC TR 86-296. Navy Surface Weapons Center, Silver 
Spring, Md., July; and Bis, R.F., and R.M. Murphy, 1986, Safety Characteristics of Non-lithium Battery Systems, NSWC TR 
86-302 Rev. 1, Naval Surface Weapons Center, Silver Spring, Md., July. 
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