Thermal Battery

Thermal batteries are single-use electrochemical energy sources used in applications requiring high power density, including torpedoes, missiles and rockets, artillery ammunition, aircraft ejection seat systems, spacecraft, and guidance kits. In military applications where simultaneous requirements such as wide operating temperature range, long shelf life, zero maintenance during shelf life, rapid activation, self-discharge resistance, high reliability, resilience to harsh environmental conditions, and high energy density are mandatory, thermal batteries have no alternative.

Thermal batteries operate on the principle that upon activation of their internal initiator, the internal temperature of the battery rises to high values (up to -600°C), causing the solid electrolyte between the anode and cathode materials to melt and acquire ionic conductivity.

Applications of Thermal Batteries

Thermal batteries can be used in many fields. Some of their applications include:

• Missile guidance systems
• Space applications
• Emergency backup batteries
• Precision guidance kits
• Winged guidance kits
• Cruise missiles
• Air-to-air missiles
• Torpedoes

Advantages and Disadvantages of Thermal Batteries

Advantages

• Ability to operate under harsh environmental conditions
• Zero energy consumption in standby mode
• Long shelf life
• Ability to deliver sudden high power

Disadvantages

• Single-use nature
• Limited operational lifespan

Thermal Battery Technology in Türkiye

TÜBİTAK SAGE, Türkiye’s sole supplier of thermal batteries, began development efforts in 2002 to reduce foreign dependency in national projects by establishing domestic thermal battery technology.

Thermal battery technology was developed entirely using domestic resources, enabling full capability in thermal battery design, production, and testing.

Thermal Battery (TÜBİTAK SAGE)

TÜBİTAK SAGE has designed and produced numerous thermal batteries with various technical specifications, and its products have been qualified to meet international military standards. With the development of indigenous thermal batteries by TÜBİTAK SAGE, Türkiye’s defense industry has eliminated its foreign dependency on thermal batteries. In addition to domestic deliveries, TÜBİTAK SAGE exports thermal batteries to many different countries.