Expeditionary Closed and Air-Independent Power and Energy (ExCAIPE)

The DPA26BZ03-DV013 ExCAIPE program seeks proposals for electrically rechargeable, high-energy-density, air-independent batteries for military applications. The objective is to develop prototypes for vehicles, computational assets, and sensing/communication devices that overcome the limitations of current lithium-ion batteries in environments lacking free oxygen (e.g., underwater, high altitude, space). This Direct to Phase 2 (DP2) effort has an 18-month Base Phase and an 18-month Option Phase, with performance metrics including specific energy targets of >1 kWh/kg (Base) and >1.5 kWh/kg (Option) at the cell level, and electrical rechargeability over 500 to 5000 cycles with minimal capacity fade. Proposals must demonstrate feasibility through lab-scale data, mass balance calculations, and initial cyclability tests, and show a clear pathway to achieving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5-6 by month 18. The program culminates in integration, testing, and evaluation with end-users, aiming for a TRL of 5-6 and potential transition into DoD/military and commercial markets for high-endurance power sources in undersea, space, and exploration applications.