Life of the Airframe Maintenance Free Battery

This paper presents an overview on an Air Force initiative aimed at increasing the performance and reliability of aircraft batteries. A major thrust of the initiative is the elimination of flight line battery maintenance shops. Cost savings, increased mission capability and battle readiness are the pay-offs that will be realized from this effort. Current maintenance requirements for vented nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries used in most U.S. military aircraft are unacceptable. This paper addresses other available technology options, decisions made to date and benefits that will result from this effort to increase the performance and reliability of aircraft batteries.