Thermal batteries are single-use, electrochemical energy sources used in fuzes, missiles and rockets, torpedoes, artillery ammunition, aircraft emergency seat ejection systems, spacecraft, and guidance kits, especially in military applications requiring high power density. There is no alternative to thermal batteries in military applications where it is essential to simultaneously meet requirements such as a wide operating temperature range, long shelf life, no maintenance required during shelf life, rapid activation, no self-discharge, high reliability, resistance to harsh environmental conditions, and high energy density. Thermal batteries operate on the principle that, as a result of the ignition of the igniter in their structure, the internal temperature of the battery reaches high values (~600°C) and the solid electrolyte between the anode and cathode materials melts, gaining ionic conductivity.
Application Areas of Thermal Batteries
Thermal batteries can be used in many areas. Some of their application areas include:
- Missile guidance systems
- Space applications
- Emergency batteries
- Precision guidance kits
- Winged guidance kits
- Cruise Missiles
- Air-to-Air missiles
- Fuzes
Advantages and Disadvantages of Thermal Batteries
Advantages
- Ability to operate in harsh environmental conditions
- No energy consumption in passive state
- Long shelf life
- Ability to provide instantaneous high power
Disadvantages
- Single-use nature
- Limited operational life
Thermal Battery Technology in Türkiye
TÜBİTAK SAGE, the sole thermal battery supplier in Türkiye, began efforts to develop thermal battery technology in 2002 with the aim of reducing foreign dependency in national projects. Thermal battery technology has been developed entirely using domestic resources; capabilities in thermal battery design, production, and testing have been acquired.
Thermal Battery (TÜBİTAK SAGE)
TÜBİTAK SAGE has so far designed and produced a large number of thermal batteries with specific technical characteristics, and the products have been qualified by international military standards. With the thermal batteries developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, foreign dependency regarding thermal batteries in the Turkish defense industry has been eliminated. In addition to domestic deliveries, TÜBİTAK SAGE exports thermal batteries to many different countries.
