DUBLIN, Ohio -- An improved battery housing, designed and manufactured by Battelle, is helping to protect the lives of military troops and responders who face threats from explosive devices.
Battelle recently won a $6.2 million contract to build battery boxes at its advanced manufacturing facility for the Department of Defense. The MK2 Battery Box is used to power the Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) used by Explosives Ordnance Disposal technicians to remotely perform reconnaissance in missions involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other unexploded ordnance.
The MK2 Battery Box is a robust "smart" power management system for the MK2 robotic platform developed in conjunction with Penn State University's Applied Research Laboratory. That successful partnership and Battelle's cost-effective production saves the government money and increases the length of time the battery can operate.
Battelle has built and fielded thousands of the units since 2008, but recently-in the first open competition bid opportunity-won a new five-year, task-order contract to deliver up to 500 per year to the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division.
The battery contract is the most recent in a succession of advanced electronic devices and scientific instruments manufactured at Battelle's Dublin facility. Other technologies produced there include thousands of electronic display panels for UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, training units for the F-16 jet fighter aircraft, components for hazardous material detection systems, liquid scanner devices to be used to scan bottles in airports, and oceanographic instruments used for monitoring ocean acidification and climate change.
As the world's largest independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management; National Security; Health and Life Sciences; and Energy, Environment and Material Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $6.5 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization.
For more information contact: Katy Delaney Phone: (614) 424-7208 Email: delaneyk@battelle.org
T.R. Massey Phone: (614) 424-5544 Email: masseytr@battelle.org