Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a $4 million contract by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for the development and integration of lithium-ion battery technology for the U.S. Special Operations Force's new
Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS). Work on the ASDS battery system is being developed in conjunction with Alliant Techsystems, Inc. of Horsham, Pa.
The ASDS, which is a mini-submarine intended to clandestinely carry Navy SEAL teams and their combat gear to and from hostile shores, is designed and built by Northrop Grumman's Oceanic & Naval Systems business unit. This first-of-its-kind system is transported to a mission area atop an attack-class nuclear submarine, or it can be airlifted with its land transport vehicle by C-5 or C-17 aircraft for insertion and deployment to littoral theaters worldwide.