Boeing relies on Saft high technology aircraft batteries for onboard back-up power to support new 747-8 Very Large Aircraft

Saft Ultra Low Maintenance (ULM) rechargeable nickel batteries provide emergency
back-up power, as well as starting power for the APU (auxiliary power unit) and electrical bus support.

Two Saft batteries are fitted onto each 747-8. Saft provided integration test and flight test batteries and will deliver one aircraft set per month for volume production in 2012. In the longer term, Boeing plans to ramp up production to 24 aircraft per year.

The 747-8 Intercontinental (passenger version) twin-aisle aircraft is the largest passenger aircraft ever built by Boeing. The 747-8 is the improved, larger and more efficient 747 model that succeeds the 747-400, which is recognized and well respected among large aircraft operators. The new series reduces emissions with GEnx-2B engines (common core with 787), lower trip costs, as well as an upgraded state-of-the-art flight deck and raked wingtips.

“We are proud to work with Saft to provide the battery system for the newly introduced Boeing 747-8 aircraft. This is just the latest collaboration in our long history of working together. The combination of Crane and Saft provides the best value solution for aircraft energy storage systems on the 747-8”, says Ed Fuhr, Vice President Crane Aerospace & Electronics – Power Solutions.

Boeing estimates demand for 300 up to 500 aircraft in this class over the next 20 years. The first 747-8F was delivered to Cargolux on Oct. 12, 2011 and the first 747-8 Intercontinental, a VIP version, was delivered to an undisclosed customer on Feb. 28, 2012.

The new ULM battery model for both the 747-8 Intercontinental (passenger version) and 747-8 F (freighter version) is an upgrade of a battery Saft supplies for other Boeing models and is designed to uniquely fit the new 747-8 Series. It is comprised of 20 Saft CVH531KA cells providing a nominal 24 V and 53 Ah capacity with a total maximum weight of 96 lbs./43.5 kg.