Defense Dept. contracts for Ultralife tech

NEWARK, N.Y., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Department has contracted Ultralife Corp. for the company's lithium ion rechargeable battery technologies in support of military operations.

New York-based Ultralife will supply the Defense Department with its SmartCircuit rechargeable batteries and chargers under a $4.8 million contract. The batteries on order include the Ultralife's UBBL06 and UBBL08 lithium ion technologies originally designed for the U.S. military's Land Warrior program.

The Land Warrior program is part of an effort to advance a soldier's close-combat capabilities through sensors, advanced helmet design and a communications-navigation computer system. Ultralife's batteries will be expected to power the Land Warrior technologies.

"Technology development programs, a key facet of our product development strategy, offer a cost-effective way for us to bring products to market," John Kavazanjian, Ultralife president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

"For example, technology we provided for the Land Warrior program opened new market opportunities for our advanced smart batteries and charging systems."