Paris, June 5th 2015 – Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of advanced batteries for industry and aerospace applications, delivered its 300,000th nickel-based battery for aircraft in June 2015. Saft’s first aircraft program dates back to 1932 when the Aeropostale Company requested batteries that could ensure easy starting of their aircraft engines. More than 80 years later, Saft batteries are on board two-thirds of civil and military aircraft, with a Saft battery taking off every 2 seconds. Saft has over 400 tailor made batteries available for more than 100 types of military aircraft, 100 different helicopters and 200 commercial, regional and business aircraft. It includes Boeing 747, Airbus A320, F-16, Mirage and Rafale to name a few.
On an aircraft the battery performs two critical functions. Firstly, it is used to start the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) or facilitate starting the engine, secondly, it supplies energy to the essential bus should the electrical generating system fail during flight. Typically, the battery is required to provide energy to the essential bus for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 120 minutes. Since the battery is a flight critical component, Saft has been working in full cooperation with nearly all aircraft manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide to create batteries that are fully compliant with all recognized international aviation, safety, environmental and quality standards. Saft batteries are developed to work in conjunction with the rest of the aircraft’s electrical system in order to ensure that the battery will be able to power the most extreme requirements, including repeated engine starting and emergency back-up power.
To assure a constant level of quality, no matter where the batteries are purchased, Saft has world-class manufacturing production facilities in France and the U.S.A. Over the years, improvements in manufacturing process and supply chain have enabled the Group to constantly exceed the increasing demanding OTD (On-Time Delivery) & OQD (On-Quality Delivery) expectations of the aviation sector. Furthermore, 300,000 batteries create an immense source of data, thereby proving the long life and high reliability of Saft’s technology in the field. Saft provides not just the battery but also all the associated services from technical & product support, a worldwide distribution network including AOG (Aircraft on Ground) services to a worldwide network dedicated to recycling batteries.
Saft also has a long history of market-driven innovation. In the 2000’s it launched the ULM® (Ultra Low Maintenance) nickel batteries that allow a significant extension of the maintenance interval with a long service life for a reduced T.C.O. (Total Cost of Ownership). More recently Li-ion batteries were introduced for some new applications and they have already equipped more than 100 aircraft, enabling significant weight reduction and cost savings. In order to meet the increased power and energy demands for tomorrow’s More and All Electric Aircraft, Saft has a dedicated roadmap to develop cutting-edge battery systems and remain the undisputed world leader.
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer 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 deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 4,000 employees in 18 countries, 14 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the future.
Saft batteries. Designed for industry. www.saftbatteries.com
