DailyTech - Pentagon to Use Lithium-Ion Batteries for F-35 Jets Despite Boeing 787 Woes

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Science Pentagon to Use Lithium-Ion Batteries for F-35 Jets Despite Boeing 787 Woes
Tiffany Kaiser - February 13, 2013 8:22 PM

15 comment(s) - last by johnsmith9875.. on Mar 4 at 11:46 AM

(Source: hdwallpapers.in)

The Pentagon said it has a different manufacturer than Boeing

Despite the issues that Boeing has encountered with its 787 Dreamliner jet, the Pentagon plans to stick with lithium-ion batteries for its F-35 fighter jet.

According to Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the Pentagon's F-35 program, the F-35's lithium-ion battery is made by a different manufacturer than that of the 787s. Saft Groupe SA manufactures the two major batteries used on the F-35 while GS Yuasa Corp. makes those for the 787.

In addition to a different manufacturer, the F35's batteries have undergone very strenuous testing.

"The bottom line is the lithium-ion batteries used on the F-35s have been through extensive tests and have redundant systems to protect the aircraft and battery compartments; they are considered safe," said DellaVedova.

DellaVedova added that there have been a few minor issues, like the battery not starting correctly in colder temperatures, but these are being addressed.

Saft Groupe SA also makes lithium-ion batteries for Airbus' A350 jets. However, earlier this month, Airbus said it had a back-up plan in case authorities made any changes to the use of these batteries after the 787 troubles.

"We have a robust design," said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus CEO. "If this design has to evolve, we have the time to do that. If it has to change in a more drastic way because the authorities reach the conclusion that the technology is not mature, then we have all the time we need to do this on the A350 before first delivery in the second half of 2014."

Throughout January 2013, 787 Dreamliner jets through Japanese airlines All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) had various issues concerning their lithium-ion batteries. The 787s were grounded in the U.S., Japan and India while the investigation began.

Earlier this week, it was discovered that the cause of the JAL fire at the Boston Logan Airport on January 7 was the short-circuiting of eight individual battery cells, which led to a thermal runaway condition.

Source: Reuters

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LOL NO @*@! SHERLOCK

By topkill on 2/13/2013 9:30:15 PM , Rating: 5

That is a stupid statement. Of course they're going to use lithium batteries. The fact that one type has a problem has NOTHING to do with other types of lithium batteries. They are so radically different that it's like comparing diamonds and coal. "Hey, they're both made of carbon so my wife won't like a diamond ring because it might be like coal" LMAO!!!

RE: LOL NO @*@! SHERLOCK

By bug77 on 2/14/2013 4:15:30 AM , Rating: 3

I was about to say the same thing. Yes, there were (are?) problems with the 787. But not because they use lithium batteries, but because they use a specific type of lithium batteries. Jeez Tiffany, do you ever filter the stuff you post?

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RE: LOL NO @*@! SHERLOCK

By deputc26 on 2/14/2013 8:17:59 AM , Rating: 2

I was also about to say the same thing. This article is incredibly ignorant, there are many many many types of li-ion batteries that have very very different characteristics, some would be good in the F-35 some not so good.

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RE: LOL NO @*@! SHERLOCK

By othercents on 2/14/2013 8:16:23 AM , Rating: 3

quote:
Earlier this week, it was discovered that the cause of the JAL fire at the Boston Logan Airport on January 7 was the short-circuiting of eight individual battery cells, which led to a thermal runaway condition.

She didn't read the original article and misquoted it, so I don't expect the rest of this article to be anything but a comment magnet.

FYI. There was a short-circuit in ONE of the eight cells that caused a thermal runaway event that spread to all eight cells.

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Made in America - not

By DrApop on 2/13/2013 11:16:47 PM , Rating: 3

So Boeing and Lockheed are both American companies receiving taxpayer money to build the 787 and the F35 contract out (an pay) two foreign companies but build and deliver lithium batteries for the planes.

Real nice....the American worker thanks you.

RE: Made in America - not

By Samus on 2/14/2013 12:09:05 AM , Rating: 3

A123 didn't set a good example for American-made high tech batteries. But then you have Tesla who actually know what they're doing. I mean Tesla has their technology in almost a dozen OEM vehicles and devices now. If Elon Musk was serious in Iron Man 2, he even wants to build an electric helicopter :)

In all seriousness, the outsourcing for the 787 is ridiculous. There isn't anything wrong with Yuasa they make excellent batteries (like the LiPo in my motorcycle) and they have nearly 100 years experience manufacturing battery technology. The problem is the design Boeing gave them. It isn't a manufacturing or quality control issue, its a design issue.

If Boeing had actually considered a potential design problem, they would have built in a backup plan to divide the battery pack into two or more seperate compartments. They went to such extremes to build a drop-down airdam generator! But they didn't think to have an extra few cubic feet of space in some compartment...

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Really..

By Stan11003 on 2/14/2013 12:43:30 AM , Rating: 2

The author of this article is most likely writing it on a laptop that uses a Lithium Ion battery. They have been around for a while now. They are in every laptop, smart phone and tablet. Just because Boeing is playing out the Emperors new clothes doesn't mean they are unsafe in the F35.

RE: Really..

By xti on 2/14/2013 12:27:07 PM , Rating: 2

so you are telling me they can put these batteries on a machine that defies gravity....but my galaxy s3 cant keep the screen on max bright longer than 5 hours!?

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but they're french!

By GulWestfale on 2/13/2013 10:42:04 PM , Rating: 3

so now your plane flies with... freedom batteries hahahaha

I sincerely hope there's a difference.

By inperfectdarkness on 2/14/2013 3:07:15 AM , Rating: 3

787 won't be exceeding 2g's without everyone on board getting upset/sick & the plane being grounded for serious examination.

The F-35 will be popping 8+ g's on a regular basis. Regardless of what is used in the 787, if it isn't tested to withstand 13g's (~150% tolerance) then it's not going in the F-35.

It is funny how naive the public is

By Beenthere on 2/14/2013 10:52:43 AM , Rating: 2

They have no technical clue nor do they realise what sheeple they are.

RE: It is funny how naive the public is

By Skywalker123 on 2/16/2013 6:06:54 PM , Rating: 1

but we all realize what a moron you are.

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Hilarious

By FishTankX on 2/14/2013 2:30:22 AM , Rating: 2

I find this absolutely hilarious when there's been a years long ban on shipping lithium ion batteries specifically due to fire hazard. Though to be fair, shipped batteries don't have special purpose built systems monitoring them for the entire flight. But is it possible that they're going for a LIFEPO4 pack in the F35?

Doubtful batteries were the cause

By johnsmith9875 on 3/4/2013 11:46:30 AM , Rating: 2

I'd look into the faulty wiring or charging circuits designed by outsourced Boeing "engineers" (probably teenagers from India) before I go blaming japanese batteries.

I have a set of panasonic Ni-Mh that I've been using for 10 years, and all my other chinese mades have gone by the wayside. Japan is the benchmark of quality for batteries.