Ukrainian soldier innovates reusable battery for aged Javelin anti-tank missile

The FGM-148 Javelin kits provide a vital advantage over older anti-tank methods such as the TOW-2 due to their significantly reduced weight and ease of use, attributed to their "fire and forget" operation. This function not only raises shooter safety by allowing them to find cover immediately after firing but also enables firing from unconventional locations, like from within trees.

Many Russian vehicles have been neutralized as a result, with some soldiers even recording the destruction of several dozen tanks. Nevertheless, the Ukrainians identified a major flaw in the system: the battery powering the target module only lasts around four hours. This is problematic as the crew often operates for double this time.

This battery is disposable, meaning that when a new batch of batteries is unavailable, the Javelin crew is rendered incapable, particularly during urgent situations where there is no option to recharge the depleted batteries.

In response to this issue, one soldier decided to devise a reusable substitute after conducting a thorough analysis of the expired battery. Upon disassembling the cover, a total of ten lithium-magnesium cells are revealed, divided into two groups of five. The 33550 format lithium-magnesium cells used have a 13-16 Ah capacity, supplying a voltage of either 16 or 32 volts depending on the connector type.

Armed with this information, the Ukrainian soldier decided to engineer a larger battery. This resilient battery would guarantee at least eight hours of operation and could be recharged using a car charger. The socket plug of the battery was recreated using a 3D printer, a board with 3A fuses, and a battery balancer founded on LG 21700 lithium-ion cells (two groups of four), as these were the only components fitting within the factory casing, which is an integral part of the launcher.

Thus, the innovative Ukrainian crafted a new battery with a prolonged operational period that can be recharged with a standard car charger. This development is particularly beneficial in challenging logistical scenarios, allowing soldiers to carry extra food rations instead of disposable batteries.