VALDOSTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of advanced batteries for industry, is pioneering unprecedented Li-ion technology for Lockheed Martin’s 5th Gen F-35 Lightning II. Recently, General Electric Aviation awarded Saft a $6.5 million contract for the F-35’s low rate initial production contract (LRIP) 6.
Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries. As part of the contract, Saft will meet More Electric Aircraft (MEA) industry objectives that aim to optimize aircraft performance and reduce gas emissions.
Saft will produce a state-of-the-art high power battery that provides the back-up power for electro-mechanical actuation for the flight control surfaces. The battery will provide in-flight emergency backup power to the aircraft’s critical systems. Each ship set consists of one JSF 270V and one JSF 28V battery per aircraft.
Saft has been supplying batteries to GE Aviation since 2006.The solution is based on more than 15 years of Saft Li-ion research and technology as well as 60-plus year history with the U.S. Naval Air Force for nickel-based batteries. To date, the F-35 battery development program has logged more than 6,000 flight test hours.
“Working on the F-35 program gives Saft the unique opportunity to advance the role of Li-ion solutions in state-of-the-art aircraft,” said Thomas Alcide, General Manager of Saft’s Specialty Battery Group. “Saft is proud of our long history of remaining at the forefront of U.S. military technology and providing unmatched performance and solutions where batteries are most critical.”
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also being deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication markets. Saft’s 3,800 employees present in 18 countries, its 15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the future.
For more information, visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com.
