Airbus bring back lithium-ion batteries on A350-900 fleet
Airbus initially designed the A350 to use advanced lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter than nickel-cadmium alternatives. When Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner was grounded for owing to potential fire hazard risk issues relating to lithium-ion batteries, Airbus opted to revert to the heavier tried and tested nickel-cadmium batteries to meet certification dealines. Given that test flights were performed with both nickel-cadmium and lithium types, Airbus was able to get both certified.
The European Aviation Safety Agency has now granted certification for the lithium-ion batteries which has allowed the European planemaker to switch back to lithium-ion batteries from the less-advanced nickel-cadmium batteries that equipped the earlier planes.
Regulatory approval marks the end of flight testing thereby clearing the way for a first delivery in 2014, to Qatar Airways Ltd., which has ordered 80 A350s.
Airbus claims that the company’s own lithium-ion architecture is different from the one used by Boeing.
Airbus admits that the A350-900 aircraft coming off production lines will be three tons heavier than initial projections and has meant that the company had to seek approval for a higher maximum takeoff weight.
Related articles and links:
News articles:
Battery strategy switch helps Airbus A350 plane orders take off in Japan
FAA review addresses Boeing 787 Dreamliner safety fears
Trial by fire: Boeing should have chosen a safer type of Lithium-ion battery chemistry for its 787
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