Saft, a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries, contributed to the successful first flight on board the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Saft's batteries were chosen by Smiths-Aerospace to power the high-tech aircraft designed by Lockheed Martin. Designed with affordability in mind, this versatile aircraft reached maximum power optimization through the use of two customized batteries from Saft. Saft was selected to provide both Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries for the F-35 Lightning II JSF. Both batteries provide start-up power for the F-35 aircraft's Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). Smiths-Aerospace supplies the Battery Charger Control Unit (BCCU) System Integrator, responsible for providing monitoring, charging and power distribution from the batteries to the aircraft.
The 270 V Li-ion battery provides back-up power to operate the flight control surfaces during taxi, takeoff, flight, and landing. Together, the Li-ion and Ni-Cd batteries play an essential role for APU start and emergency back-up power in the event of an electrical generation system failure during flight. It is the first time that a fighter aircraft has relied on Li-ion to provide these mission critical roles in start-up, flight control and back-up power.
"It is a tremendous honor to be chosen to back the F-35 Lightning II," said Ole Vigerstol, vice president of sales and marketing for the Industrial Battery Group, North America. "We believe the revolutionary capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft are a perfect match for our advanced customized battery technology."
Saft's Li-ion 270 V High Power Batteries and Ni-Cd 28 V Aircraft Maintenance Free Batteries (AMFB) provided essential power to the aircraft. Saft began work in 2002 to design, develop and qualify the two state-of-the-art batteries for the highly sophisticated aircraft in its Cockeysville, Maryland and Valdosta, Georgia sites.
The two facilities are also working with Smiths-Aerospace to provide a 28 V Li-ion battery to replace the current 28 V AMFB. The new Li-ion battery will serve as a technology upgrade and weight reduction solution for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
The F-35 Lightning II made its inaugural flight from Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas location December 15, 2006.