Keywords
Citation
(2002), "Saft ULM's for Airbus A380 Superjumbo", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 74 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2002.12774dab.033
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Saft ULM's for Airbus A380 Superjumbo
Keywords: Airbus, Aircraft, Engines
The new Airbus A380 Superjumbo passenger aircraft, due to enter commercial service in early 2006, will use Saft Ultra Low Maintenance (ULM) rechargeable nickel- cadmium batteries to provide on-board power for engine starting and electrical systems back-up.
Airbus believes that the ultra-high-capacity transport, capable of seating up to 555 passengers (35 per cent more than the largest passenger aircraft flying today), is the solution to increasing air traffic while simultaneously dealing with "gate-constrained" airport conditions and route consolidation. Nearly 100 firm orders and commitments for the new aircraft have already been received.
The battery Saft has developed for the A380 is a 50Ah unit similar to the batteries which it is already supplying for Airbus A340-5001600 aircraft, but with the added advantage claimed of ULM technology. This is said to provide a higher capacity battery, lighter in weight per Ah, with extended maintenance intervals and superior low temperature performance.