Ukrainian soldier enhances US anti-tank missile with reusable battery innovation
The FGM-148 Javelin kits are a very potent anti-tank measure, which, compared to older alternatives such as the TOW-2, is notably lighter and simpler to use due to its "fire and forget" operation. Besides increasing shooter safety by enabling them to take cover instantly after discharging, this characteristic also facilitates the shooting of tanks from unconventional locations, perhaps from trees.
As a consequence, numerous Russian vehicles have been decimated, with several soldiers already claiming the destruction of dozens. However, the Ukrainians identified one major drawback: the battery powering the aiming module only lasts for roughly four hours, while the crew frequently hunts Russian tanks for a duration of eight hours.
This battery is for a single-use, implying that if a new supply of batteries is not delivered promptly, the Javelin crew comes to a standstill, as there is no opportunity to recharge the depleted batteries in extreme conditions.
A handyman crafts a reusable battery for the Javelin
After carefully examining the spent battery, one of the soldiers decided to create a reusable substitute. Once the cover is removed, a package comprising ten lithium-magnesium cells is revealed, grouped into two sets of five. In the 33550 format, the lithium-magnesium cells used have a capacity of 13-16 Ah and, depending on the connector type, deliver a voltage of 16 or 32 volts.
Equipped with this information, the Ukrainian soldier decided to build a larger battery that could endure at least eight hours of operation while also being charged with a car charger. The socket plug was fabricated using a 3D printer, a board with 3A fuses, and a battery balancer based on LG 21700 lithium-ion cells (using eight cells arranged as two sets of four), as only these could fit into the original casing, which is a part of the launcher.
This innovative solution by the Ukrainian soldier led to a new battery with a longer operational time, which can be charged with a standard car charger. This is particularly beneficial when logistical support is challenging; soldiers can pack more food rations instead of carrying extra single-use batteries.
