Commercial Rechargeable Batteries for Military Aircraft Applications: An Overview

The development of new environmentally friendly commercial batteries that offer rechargeable alternatives to lead-acid and Ni-Cd vented batteries has resulted in consideration of these new batteries for military aircraft applications. Existing vented batteries must be replaced with sealed, maintenance free or reduced maintenance batteries to meet USAF operational requirements and environmental policy guidance. Viable near term candidates for these replacements are the SLA, AMFABS, Ni-MH and the Lithium-ion batteries. The status of the technology and the development programs to implement these batteries along with the operational aircraft requirements are discussed.