Advanced U. S. Military Aircraft Battery Systems 901054
Most aircraft in the U. S. Air Force inventory currently use vented nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries for the main aircraft d.c. electrical power system and emergency power as well as other functions such as powering lights and instruments prior to engine starting/ignition. The major concerns of todays users are the high maintenance requirements, low reliability of vented NiCd battery systems and lack of a built-intest capability to check the battery state of health prior to flight. This paper will summarize efforts by the Wright Research and Development Center to develop maintenance free battery technologies for current and future aircraft applications.
